Chapter 85 Painful Past

Samuel took a deep breath, momentarily suppressing the overwhelming guilt he felt for Kaia. Then, he opened the drawer of the desk. In an instant, his eyes were met with a drawer full of certificates. The bright reds and golds stood out starkly in the dimly lit room, almost blinding in their vibrance. Yet, they felt like a heavy blow to his heart, leaving him speechless. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he slowly pulled out the certificates, one by one, carefully flipping through them. Six years of elementary school, three years of middle school, three years of high school—12 years of awards, like a silent documentary narrating Kaia's excellence and effort. "Model Student", "Outstanding Student", "Excellent Class Leader", "Academic Competition Winner"—each certificate was a heavy symbol of honor, rich with merit. However, they felt like sharp knives, deeply cutting into his heart. Each certificate represented Kaia's tireless hard work over the years. For 12 years, she had b