Stolen Notes and Broken Strings (Chaos Theory #1)

Prologue

Two weeks ago…

Scarlett

I n the quiet of the night, my past failures feel heavy in this small, dimly lit room. Shadows stretch across the walls from the single lamp, echoing the doubt that fills every corner of my apartment. Anxiety whispers persistently, wearing away at my resolve—just as it had countless times before. Yet tonight feels different; tonight feels like a turning point.

The soft glow of my laptop is a small light in the darkness, a sign of hope against the encroaching despair. Each keystroke is an act of defiance, a fight against the inner voices that tell me I’m not good enough. My dream lingers, fragile but determined, refusing to be extinguished even as the clock ticks on, oblivious to my struggle. My thoughts darken, replaying memories of missed deadlines and harsh critiques, but I force myself to focus.

Will my thesis break new ground?

Will it withstand the scrutiny of those who sit in judgement?

These questions hang heavy in the air, suffocating yet urgent, but I refuse to succumb to the fear. My journey has been long and arduous, filled with sacrifices that have brought me to this precipice. The countless late nights in the library, the coffee-fueled mornings, and the moments of self-doubt are scars I wear proudly, each one a badge of honor.

In the stillness of the night, I dare to envision a future where my work is recognized, where my name stands alongside the greats. But it isn’t just that future I crave; it’s the acknowledgment of my worth, not just as a scholar, but as a woman who has dared to hope against the odds.

The dream is delicate, a fragile flame flickering against the winds of doubt. But it is a flame I will protect with every ounce of my strength.

You’ll never know how far you can fly unless you leap, Scarlett.

Every day, I gather more courage to take that leap. I’ve climbed from the depths of despair, determined to rise above the limitations of my past. Now, at the edge of triumph, I cannot afford to let fear drag me back into the abyss. I am stronger than the shadows that surround me, and I will not let them dictate my destiny.

And now, with a deep breath, I return to the glow of the screen, each word typed is a testament to my defiance. This thesis is more than an academic milestone—it is a proclamation of my resilience, a beacon of hope against the darkness. The night stretches before me, but I am ready to face it, armed with unyielding determination.

The dawn of a new chapter awaits.