Chapter 334: She Pushed Open the Door

Helen Whitmore froze when she pushed open the door.

The peeling wallpaper and yellowed floorboards spoke of the apartment's age, yet the sight before her was unexpectedly charming.

A cream-colored fabric sofa draped with a knitted throw. Delicate ceramic teacups arranged on the coffee table. Potted plants artfully placed beside the TV stand, sunlight filtering through sheer curtains to cast dappled patterns on the wooden floor.

"Wow..." Daniel Whitmore adjusted his glasses, taking in the surroundings with surprise.

The grimy stairwell had prepared them for the worst, but beyond this door lay an entirely different world.

Helen's eyes grew misty.

She knew her daughter too well. Since childhood, Clara had always kept her space meticulously organized—even the pens in her desk caddy arranged by color. This innate fastidiousness was clearly inherited from her.

Twenty years ago, she and Daniel had squeezed into a tiny 100-square-foot rental. Every payday, she'd buy the cheapest baby's breath bouquet. He'd grumble about the extravagance, yet secretly replace her makeshift vase with a proper one.

"Mom, some tea." Clara approached with lemon-infused water.

Helen accepted the cup, fingertips registering its warmth. Suddenly she remembered her daughter as a little girl, standing on tiptoes to hand her a glass.

"Clara," Helen took a sip, "Professor Mercer... is he single?"

Clara's hand jerked, splashing tea across the table.

"Mom!" She scrambled for napkins. "Why would you ask that?"

Helen smiled knowingly. She recognized that flustered reaction all too well—just like Daniel nervously adjusting his collar whenever he used to see her.

"Just curious," Helen said casually. "A distinguished young man like him must have many admirers."

Clara's ears turned pink. She pictured the perpetually lit desk lamp in Professor Mercer's study, the slight furrow between his brows as he graded papers.

"He's... very busy," Clara murmured. "In all this time living here, I've never seen him with anyone."

Helen exchanged a glance with Daniel.

The same young man who'd rescued her by the river all those years ago now winked at her in silent understanding.