Chapter 497

Chapter 497

"Thanks, Mr. Rogers."

Diana slipped the approved leave slip into her bag, gave a polite nod, and stood up to leave.

The whole thing felt surreal.

She walked out of the department head's office, carefully organized her important projects, and handed them over to trusted colleagues.

By the time she finished, it was almost time for her afternoon class.

She packed up her personal belongings and left the office, heading towards the university's lecture hall.

Besides her main job, her top-notch professional skills had landed her a gig as a part-time lecturer for an interpreting practice course at this prestigious university's School of Foreign Languages.

As she pushed open the door to the lecture hall, the students immediately quieted down.

Diana walked up to the podium, the afternoon sunlight streaming through the large windows, casting a golden glow around her slender figure.

Standing in that light, she looked at the eager, youthful faces before her, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace and certainty.

For the past three years, she had lived like a shadow, hiding in dark corners, afraid of the light, afraid of people, afraid of being scrutinized.

But now, she could finally stand in the spotlight, unafraid and unapologetic.

Behind her was Stanley.

The man who, with just one morning and a piece of candy, had dispelled the shadows of her past.

Diana picked up a piece of chalk and turned to the large blackboard, writing a line of elegant, powerful words.

Her handwriting was sharp and confident.

"Alright, class," she said, picking up the microphone, her clear voice resonating through the room, "today, we start a new chapter."

There was no trace of the past's timidity or unease in her voice.

It was steady, confident, filled with the vitality of a rebirth.

The words on the blackboard were still fresh, just like her newly forged spirit.

Diana set down the microphone, her fingers still tingling from the chalk, ready to start today's lesson.

In the front row, a boy with black-rimmed glasses, his cheeks flushed with excitement, raised his hand stiffly, like a nervous flag.

"Ms. Mellon!"

Diana paused, her gaze gentle as she looked at him.

"We... we saw it on the school forum!" The boy's voice echoed through the large lecture hall, "You... you got married! Congratulations, Ms. Mellon!"

His words were like a stone thrown into a pond, causing an immediate ripple of excitement.

The entire classroom erupted, the air filled with voices.

"Wow! Ms. Mellon! Is it true?"

"Congrats, Ms. Mellon! Wishing you a lifetime of happiness!"

"Ms. Mellon! Your husband must be a real catch!"

"Best wishes for a long and happy marriage!"

The room buzzed with warm, genuine congratulations and playful banter, a stark contrast to the tense, masked interactions of the office that morning.

These young faces showed no jealousy or scheming, only pure, sincere well-wishes and curiosity.

Diana was momentarily stunned.

She looked at the bright, starry-eyed faces below, feeling a warmth that melted the last remnants of coldness in her heart.

Her smile, no longer a distant, polite mask, was now a genuine, radiant expression of joy.

"Thank you, everyone." Her voice was light and sweet, even to her own ears, "You all are very well-informed."

"Of course!" The boy who had spoken earlier pushed his glasses up proudly, "Our beautiful teacher getting married is big news on the forum!"

The class burst into laughter.

Diana laughed along, her eyes misting slightly with emotion.

She had never imagined that someone like her could receive such pure, unadulterated kindness and blessings.

The atmosphere of the class was unprecedentedly relaxed and lively, as if the air itself was filled with the sweetness of candy.

The students' questions gradually shifted from dry academic topics to her new married life.

Diana answered each question with ease, her words filled with a newfound sense of relaxation and openness.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, the students were reluctant to leave, their eyes full of longing.

"Ms. Mellon, can you bring your husband to our next class?" A bold girl suggested, prompting a chorus of agreement.

"Dream on!" Diana laughed, closing her lesson plan, her eyes twinkling mischievously, "There will be a substitute teacher for the next class because I'm going on my honeymoon."

The classroom erupted in a mix of envy, regret, and heartfelt congratulations.

By the time she got home, night had already fallen over the city.

Diana opened the door, and the hallway light flicked on, revealing a pair of familiar men's slippers neatly placed by the shoe rack.

Stanley was sitting on the living room sofa, a sleek laptop on his knees, the screen's glow highlighting his focused, sharp profile.

At the sound of the door unlocking, he immediately looked up, his deep gaze cutting through the dim light to find her.

"You're back."

"Yeah." Diana changed her shoes, casually placing her handbag on the hallway table, and walked over to sit beside him.

She said nothing, simply leaned in like a cat seeking comfort, resting her head on his shoulder, breathing in his clean, familiar scent.

Stanley's fingers paused on the keyboard, and without hesitation, he closed the laptop, setting it aside, and wrapped his strong arms around her, pulling her close.

"The students found out today," Diana's voice was muffled against his shirt, carrying a hint of playful complaint.