CHAPTER FORTY THREE – TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD

As Joan watched Vito order their food, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey. But for now, she was content to focus on the present - on Vito's unwavering support, on the comfort of her home, and on the prospect of tackling her revised proposal with renewed determination. The smell of Chinese food soon filled the apartment, and Joan found herself laughing at Vito's attempts to use chopsticks. For a moment, she allowed herself to forget about Dr. Wallace and her thesis, simply enjoying the company of the man she loved. But as the night wore on and Vito drifted off to sleep on the couch, Joan sat at her desk, staring at her laptop screen. The blank document seemed to mock her, a stark reminder of the task ahead. "You can do this," she whispered to herself, echoing her words from earlier that day. With a deep breath, she began to type, determined to prove Dr. Wallace wrong. As the first rays of sunlight began to peek through her