It was 12:30 at night. Everyone in the house was asleep, but Anaya couldn't find rest.
Her story lit up on the laptop screen. The word count in the corner showed—12,148 words.
Her heart began to race.
"It's done…" she murmured to herself.
For ten days straight, she had immersed herself in her work like a machine. She did house chores in the morning, prepared for interviews during the day, and wrote at night. Sometimes her fingers hurt, but she kept going.
Today, for the first time, she felt like—she wasn't just dreaming…she was making it real.
A small button glowed on the screen— Apply for Contract
To her, that button felt more than just an option…it felt like a choice.
If she applied, her story would no longer be just a hobby.
It would turn into a responsibility.
People would have expectations.
There would be rules to follow.
There would be deadlines to meet.
And what if she faced rejection?
She shut her eyes. Her father's face appeared in her mind.
"Dreams aren't achieved with words alone... you must put in hard work."
She took a deep breath.
She moved the mouse pointer toward the button.
Her hand trembled for a moment.
Then she clicked it.
The screen flashed, "Your application has been submitted successfully."
She gazed at the screen for a few seconds.
Then a soft smile spread across her face.
"The first step..." she whispered.
The next morning, there was a bit of excitement in the house. Uncle was about to come over.
Mom quickly began tidying up the kitchen, while Dad took care of the hall.
Anaya pitched in to help too.
"Why is Uncle coming today?" she asked casually.
Mom looked away.
"Just... for a visit."
But Anaya figured it out.
The proposal from that day hadn't fully disappeared. Maybe they were going to discuss it again.
A little worry crept into her heart, but this time she felt no fear.
---
Uncle arrived in the afternoon, laughing and talking loudly as usual.
"Hey, where's our writer daughter?" he called out.
Anaya gave a small smile.
"I'm here, Uncle."
They chatted for a bit before the topic shifted back to what really mattered.
"The boy's family wants to talk again," Uncle said straightforwardly.
"They appreciated your honesty. But... there are some conditions."
The room grew quiet.
"What conditions?" Dad asked.
"You can work after marriage... but home must come first. And writing? Well, that can just be a hobby."
Anaya's heart raced.
A hobby?
What had become so important to her was just seen as a pastime by others.
Everyone's gaze focused on her.
In the past, she might have stayed quiet.
But today she boldly asked, "What if writing becomes my career?"
Uncle chuckled softly.
"Daughter, how many people actually make it that way?"
She calmly replied, "Those who try."
For the first time, Dad looked at her carefully.
He realized this wasn't stubbornness; it was confidence.
---
Later that evening, after everyone left, the house fell silent again.
Dad stood on the balcony when Anaya approached him.
"Do you think I'm wrong?" she asked quietly.
Without looking at her, Dad replied, "I believe this path is tough."
"I don't want an easy path, Dad!" she responded firmly.
After a moment, Dad turned toward her.
"Did you apply for a contract today?"
Anaya was taken aback.
"How did you know?"
"The laptop was open in your room this morning."
Her heart raced. "Are you engry with me?"
Dad shook his head. "Nope. But things have gotten serious now; backing out won't be easy."
"I don't want to back out," she asserted confidently.
Dad smiled at her for the first time. "So prove it! First to yourself... then to everyone else."
It felt like a challenge.
But this time, she embraced it with excitement.
--
At night, she reopened her story and saw new comments from readers:
"Waiting for the next chapter."
"Don't stop writing."
"Your story inspires me."
She understood—this wasn't just about her dream anymore.
This could give voice to many girls like her.
Suddenly, a notification popped up on her phone:
WebNovel: Your book is under review. Please wait for evaluation results.
Her heart pounded with anticipation as the wait began.
---
Lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling,
she felt caught between two things: relationships on one side and contracts on the other,
but this time didn't feel trapped at all.
She was carving out her own path.
Closing her eyes, she told herself, "If I get this contract... I'll show that dreams and responsibilities can coexist."
And if not?
I'll keep writing anyway.
Because now writing isn't just a goal for me; it's part of who I am.
Little did she know that soon an email would arrive,
changing everything at home...
Either bringing joy
or presenting new challenges.
Whatever happens—
this time she'll make decisions based on courage instead of fear.
Will Anaya choose between following her dreams and pursuing this relationship? Or can she balance both? To find out what happens next, read the next chapter of our story. And if you enjoy it, please vote and comment! Your support means everything to us!