Stella thought to herself after hearing Emma's request," I knew it. No one does anything for free."
The café around them was quiet, with the faint hum of conversation and the occasional clinking of cups filling the silence between them.
Noticing Stella's silence, Emma leaned forward slightly.
"So, what do you think?"
Feeling cornered and unable to see any other option, Stella slowly nodded.
"I agree."
Emma's face lit up with joy.
"That's great! I'm really glad you accepted."
Trying to remain composed, Stella asked quietly, "When exactly am I leaving?"
"In a week. The trip will be by sea, and it'll take about two days to reach the destination."
Emma gestured toward the cobblestone streets visible through the window.
"Where exactly is this trip taking me?"
Emma smiled, as if amused by Stella's reaction.
"To the northern continent. You've heard of the nature reserve there, right?"
Stella's eyes widened slightly. She remembered seeing rare documentaries about it, the untouched forests and icy rivers that occasionally appeared on the news.
"You mean that place? The restricted one?"
Emma chuckled softly and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yes. But don't worry. You love nature and science just like I do. I'm sure you'll find it fascinating. Opportunities like this don't come around often, Stella."
Although excitement stirred inside her, Stella kept a straight face, unwilling to let Emma see how interested she was.
Emma continued, her voice more sincere this time.
"I want you to know that if my mother weren't ill, I would have gone myself. But even if I can go, I still would have helped you."
Stella narrowed her eyes slightly.
"How kind of you", she thought bitterly.
"If I were naive, I might actually believe you. But let's not forget that you practically trapped me yesterday."
She kept those thoughts to herself. What good would saying them do? She had already accepted.
When Stella returned to the hospital, her mother greeted her with a worried frown.
"Stella! Where have you been? You left Jean here alone!"
"Mom, wait. I found a solution... a way to pay for Dad's surgery."
Her mother's expression shifted from anger to confusion.
"What? How?"
Stella hesitated before deciding to tell her everything. Her meeting with Emma, the strange coincidence of their resemblance, Emma's offer, the plan to take her place, and the trip.
Her mother's expression darkened with disbelief.
"What kind of trip is this? What kind of research? With strangers? Are you out of your mind, Stella?"
Stella gently placed her hand over her mother's.
"Mom, please... I know how it sounds. But it's just an expedition to a protected nature reserve. Emma said it's safe, and it won't take long. What matters most right now is Dad."
"But, Stella..."
"I promise I'll come back. And when I do, Dad will be well again. Maybe..." She hesitated. "Maybe I'll even have a future waiting for me."
Her voice trembled on the last sentence.
This wasn't just about her father anymore. It was also about a fragment of a dream she had carried since childhood, to explore distant lands, make discoveries, and do something that mattered.
Her mother remained silent, worry etched across her face.
Two days later, Emma called Stella and asked her to meet at the same café.
That afternoon, Emma spent a long time preparing Stella for the trip.
She told her everything she might need to know to imitate her convincingly. Her favorite foods, daily routines, family background, the colleagues she would meet, and even the inside jokes that only someone close to her would know.
Stella listened carefully, committing every detail to memory.
They also discussed the small differences between them, the darker eyes and the slight difference in their voices, and came up with simple explanations for both.
"Just say you're wearing contact lenses if anyone asks," Emma said.
"And as for your voice... tell them you're still recovering from a cold."
Stella nodded.
It was a strange experience, stepping into someone else's life.
The plan was simple. On the day Stella departed, her father would undergo the surgery, fully paid for by Emma.
They agreed to meet at the port before the ship's departure.
The next few days passed quickly.
Stella stayed by her family's side at the hospital. Her father's condition remained stable, but fragile.
The surgery was scheduled, and everything was ready.
Then the day of the departure arrived.
Pale dawn light filtered through Stella's window as she packed her belongings, all carefully chosen and prepared by Emma.
She knelt beside Jean and gently brushed his hair with her fingers.
"You'll take care of Mom and Dad while I'm gone, right? I'm counting on you."
Jean wiped away his tears and nodded.
"I will, Sister. I promise."
Stella then embraced her mother, holding her tightly.
"Mom, please don't worry. I'll be back before you know it. Take care of them... and yourself."
Her mother's voice was quiet but steady.
"I trust you. Just... come back safely, Stella."
Stella gave them one last look before leaving for the port, her heart heavy but her steps firm.
She didn't know what awaited her, but she knew why she was going.
For now, that was enough.