A few days after her mother's funeral, Kiefer stood by the small wooden table near the window, brochures scattered before her like leaves after a storm. Her fingers moved mechanically across the colorful pages of various top medical universities. But her mind was elsewhere—on her promise, on the envelope her mother gave her, and the fire that now burned in her chest every time she thought of Heaven Samuel.
"This is it," she whispered to herself, brushing her hair behind her ear. "This is how it begins."
She carefully shortlisted three universities: one top-ranking medical institution and two as backups. She wasn't going to risk everything on just one. "Hmm… I think it should work," she murmured. "Even if I don't get into the best one, I'll still have a shot at something."
The next few days blurred into a series of applications, paperwork, and form-filling. Kiefer was methodical—almost obsessive—about every detail. But she knew why. This wasn't just about school. It was about honoring her mother. It was about proving to herself—and eventually to the man who abandoned them—that she was more than his mistake.
To keep herself grounded, she applied for several part-time jobs around town—at a local pharmacy, a clinic, and even a small herbal apothecary. Each shift was a quiet reminder of her roots, of her mother's struggle, and of the vow she made by that silent bedside.
Her days started before the sun rose and ended long after it had set. During breaks, she pulled out her entrance exam books and studied wherever she could—a corner at the pharmacy, a bench behind the clinic, even the stairwell of her apartment. Her focus was absolute.
Finally, the entrance exam dates arrived. One after another, she appeared for them—nervous but determined. And then came the waiting.
Weeks passed.
One morning, Kiefer returned from her shift and noticed two envelopes on her doorstep. She rushed inside and opened them with trembling hands. Two universities. Two offers. Both good—but not the one she truly hoped for.
"I guess this is it," she sighed, forcing a smile. "Still, not bad…"
But something inside her kept tugging.
The next morning, just as she was about to leave for admission paperwork, her neighbor Mr. Dutch appeared, holding an envelope in his hand.
"Kit… you're so careless," he huffed, waving it in the air.
"Mr. Dutch?" she asked, confused. "What happened?"
"This was stuck in my mailbox. Looked like yours," he said.
She took it, blinking at the crest stamped in blue and gold. Her breath caught. It was from The Medical University—the one she dreamed of.
"Oh my God… thank you, Mr. Dutch! You're a life-saver!" she exclaimed, clutching it.
Before she could open it, a hand snatched it from hers.
"Kit, you lazybones! Let me do the honors!" Raavi, her childhood friend and partner in every prank, sprinted into the house, waving the envelope like a trophy.
"Raavi! Give it back!" she yelled, chasing him. They tumbled into the hallway, laughter bouncing off the walls. But suddenly, Raavi stopped.
He stood still, reading.
Her heart sank. "Raavi… I know. I didn't get in, right?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned, eyes wide with joy, and pulled her into his arms.
"You got in, Kit! You passed!"
Tears spilled down her cheeks as the words sunk in. "What… what did you say?"
"You cleared it! You're going to the best medical university in the country!"
She cried freely—tears of joy, of sorrow, of a promise that just took its first breath of life.
"Raavi… I'm scared," she admitted quietly.
He gently tilted her chin up. "Good. That means you care. But don't ever let fear stop you. I'll always be here. Right behind you."
Those words filled the space in her chest that once felt so hollow. She wasn't alone.
---
A week later, they left the countryside for Town A.
Kiefer moved into the university dormitory and plunged headfirst into the whirlwind of medical school. Her days were intense—lectures, labs, night shifts, and more part-time work. She barely slept, often studying until her eyes burned.
But no matter how tired she was, she never forgot her mission.
Then one day, Cecelia stormed into her room, dramatic as ever.
"Kiefer! Please! Step away from those books and look in a mirror! You need a break before you turn into a walking encyclopedia."
Kiefer laughed. "Come on, Cecelia. I give my books a break too… sometimes."
"Oh yeah? Either you're in the library or your part-time job. You need pampering, girl!"
"Haha… okay, okay. What do you want to do?"
"I want to go to the convocation being held at the stadium."
"A convocation?" Kiefer raised a brow.
"Yes! My dream prince is going to be there—Davis White!"
"Who?"
Cecelia gaped. "You don't know Davis White?! He's the heir of White Pharma Inc.! Son of the Rick White!"
That name hit Kiefer like a bell.
"You mean… the Rick White who launched affordable medicines?"
"Exactly! And Davis just graduated as a top medical scholar. He's starting a new venture. Rumor has it they're collaborating with students."
At that, Kiefer straightened up. She wasn't usually interested in wealthy heirs or events, but if this had anything to do with medical innovation, she wanted in.
"Okay," she said, grabbing her coat. "Let's go."
---
The stadium buzzed with anticipation.
Mr. Rick White walked up to the podium. "Today is a special day. Not only are we celebrating new graduates, but we are launching an initiative that could change the medical world. Let me introduce my son, Davis White."
Davis took the stage.
Kiefer couldn't help but notice—his tall frame, those piercing green eyes, his presence. But it was his words that held her.
"We are inviting young minds to share innovations in medicine. White Pharma will invest in the best ideas—your research, your vision. We'll collaborate to build something meaningful."
The crowd erupted.
Kiefer's heart pounded. This… this was her chance.
Afterward, she and Cecelia collected the program guidelines. Kiefer sat on her bed that night, staring at her laptop, hands trembling slightly as she typed.
Her proposal?
Affordable herbal alternatives for diseases with expensive treatments—developed using traditional knowledge, backed by modern science.
"I'll show them," she whispered. "I'll show them all what Mom and I stood for."
She hit submit.
And with that, the next chapter of her life began.