In the past, whenever he said this, Ella would reassure herself that taking care of the family was meaningful too and she was not worthless. But the word Danny had said during the interview that day still echoed in her mind and she could not forget them.
She pulled her hand away and said calmly, "Danny, I hope you always remember that the reason you got your PhD's spot was because I gave up mine for you.”
Danny was taken aback. He never expected that Ella would suddenly bring up the past. Only now did it dawn on him that her original abilities surpassed his own.
"Ella, I …."
But Ella had already gotten up and left the table. She walked straight into the bedroom and closed the door behind her.
She dragged the box from under the bed and began pulling out its contents one by one. They were all her past award certificates. Yet the walls of this home seemed designed to hold for only one person’s honors.
It was just like Danny had said back then when he opposed her pursuing her doctorate. “One scientist in a family is enough. Someone must always stay home to take care of the family."
Back then, she thought love could conquer everything. So she gave up the opportunity to pursue her doctorate.
But she forgot that true feelings could change so easily. Danny had long moved on, while she remained blissfully unaware of it.
"Ella, I've washed the dishes. I won't be sleeping at home tonight—I need to head to the lab."
Hearing his words from outside the door, Ella let out a self-mocking chuckle.
What a flimsy lie and I had believed it for twenty years!
She kept wiping the trophy and certificates in her hands with tissues, for only seeing these awards could remind her of who she really was.
After twenty years of being a housewife, she had almost forgotten she was once a student whom all her teachers had high hopes for.
After rearranging the certificate, she called her former teacher.
"Is this … Ella?" the person on the other side asked in surprise.
"Yes, it’s me, Professor. I'm calling to ask ... Is the laboratory still recruiting? I want to come back. If it's not possible, then …."
When the person on the opposite side heard this, he hurriedly agreed. "Of course! Come over. The laboratory desperately needs talents like you.”
Hearing her teacher's words, a warm glow entered her heart.
The next morning, she was woken by a commotion.