A soft, cheerful song plays softly in her ears. With her eyes closed, she savors the music, listening to the distinct instruments and their varying timbres. She's captivated by the singer's soft, deep voice, singing about life's many wonders, but none of them compare to the day she met the love of her life. At the end of the song, she opens her eyes and looks out the window of the bus; the cityscape has disappeared, and now only nature can be seen.

"Following your aunt's wishes, you will receive title to the ranch she owns in Halley River. However, there is one critical condition that must be met for this transition to be completed. After the reading of this will, you have fifteen days to report to the Halley River City Hall and take possession of the property, signing all the necessary documents and establishing residency." The lawyer reading the will explains the process in a monotone and emotionless voice.

"Do I have to move to Halley River? Why can't I stay where I already live?" Carmelia questions the strange condition.

"According to your late aunt's wishes, she did not want the ranch to pass into the hands of strangers. If you are not interested in moving, ownership of the ranch will be granted to your uncle. In the written wishes she left us to express, she called this condition a choice for a new life. If you accept, a new life in a new place will be ready for you. If you refuse, she understands that you are content with where you are in life and simply wants you to move on in complete happiness."

"Do I have to answer now?"

"No, you have until the end of next month to sign the papers to transfer ownership of the ranch and establish residence in Halley River. If you miss even a day of the deadline, this opportunity will be canceled, and, as I've already explained, the ranch will go to your uncle."

The bus continues at the speed limit between plains and plateaus; the end of her seven-day journey is close. An entire ranch to herself, in a completely unknown place where no one knows her. Maybe that's what she needs; things haven't been going so well. A complete change of scenery might be her little salvation.

"A ranch, huh?" She smiled, questioning her own decision. She'd never had any contact with ranch operations, nor had she ever visited one. What was she going to do there? Was it really right for her to inherit something so precious? All these doubts and many others continued to torment her until a loud male voice spoke.

"Last stop, Halley River bus station. Repeat, last stop, Halley River bus station. Everyone disembark." Outside the bus, the driver urgently urged all passengers to follow his orders. While she mused about her choice, the bus arrived at its destination, and all the remaining passengers on board had already exited.

The small town of Halley River lies nestled between mountains, lakes, and the mighty Halley River. This agriculturally focused town has never grown unchecked despite the natural beauty surrounding it. Founded only 142 years ago, it has gained notoriety for its inaccessible location and the unique products grown exclusively in the incredibly fertile soil.

With the driver's help, Carmelia retrieves her single suitcase of clothes and accessories from her old apartment. He also tells her where to find a taxi and the address of City Hall. Although it's an unfamiliar place, it shouldn't be difficult to recognize the building. She checks her phone to check the time; it's only 1 p.m., enough time to take care of her business at City Hall. She then hops into a taxi parked near the bus station exit and observes the scenery as she heads to City Hall.

The fresh, clean air of the city, even after modernization, maintains a rustic feel thanks to the many trees, shrubs, and flowers planted along the way. The lack of skyscrapers made her curious and happy; it truly was a world completely different from the one she knew. The drive took about fifteen to twenty minutes; the imposing city hall building followed the standards of public buildings across the country, a slow contrast of grandeur, and served as an excellent landmark for local businesses.

The taxi driver helped her unpack her suitcase before leaving. Unlike the city where she lived, there were few people and cars on the street; At times, the silence became a pleasant sensation. Inside City Hall, the architecture was familiar, but the building was practically empty; there was only a man in his fifties with a glorious, well-groomed grayish mustache.

"Good afternoon, young lady. How can I help you?" His husky voice had a charm that made him seem more friendly. He wore a white long-sleeved shirt, dark green pants, and suspenders of the same color. His hair was short and gray with a bald spot on the top of his head.

"Good afternoon, I would like to speak with the mayor."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"No, I didn't know it was necessary. My name is Carmelia Barnehal, and I came here following the instructions given to me during the reading of my aunt Augusta Barnehal's will."

"Ah! You're Madame Augusta's niece! I'll let the mayor know you've arrived. Please wait a moment." He picks up an old-fashioned landline phone and presses a button. After a few rings, he speaks to someone for a few seconds before hanging up.

"Mayor Marlene Alviverti is waiting for you. If you go left from the reception desk, you'll see a flight of stairs that will take you to the first floor. There are large double doors with a bronze plaque indicating the mayor's office. You can leave your suitcase and backpack with me if you wish."

"Oh, thank you." She smiles and places her backpack and suitcase behind the reception desk as offered.

"And before you go." He holds one of her hands with both of his and, with a sad expression, says, "I'm so sorry about your aunt's passing. She was a wonderful person who did so much for our little town."

"Thank you. I didn't imagine she had done so much. We haven't spoken in a long time." She said awkwardly.

"Her ranch is one of the most important in the city, but I'm sure we'll have time to talk about it after you meet with the mayor."

She nodded and followed the attendant's directions. In her stem, she forgot to ask him his name, making a mental note to ask him about it when she saw him again. She stopped in front of the massive double doors made of solid, polished wood. When she knocked gently four times, she heard a voice coming from the office.

"Please, the door is open. Come in." A woman's muffled voice invited her in. The office inside was simple but well-appointed. All the furniture was wood and covered in leather. Near the wall opposite the door was a desk with two armchairs in front of it and an additional armchair behind it. In the armchair sat a woman wearing a suit with a burgundy skirt, short red hair, round glasses, and a sad smile on her face.

"Good afternoon, I've been instructed to speak with you about the terms of my aunt's will."

"Yes, first of all, I'd like to say how sorry I am about your aunt's death. Augusta was one of the kindest people I've ever met and had the pleasure of calling a friend. She was not only a great person, but a pillar of our small community. Always present at all the town hall meetings, volunteer work, and many other things."

"Even though I haven't been able to speak with her for years, I've always had fond memories of her. The news of her death was a shock to me, and even more so that she had left me something in her will."

"If you truly decide to stay in our community, I hope one day we'll have time to talk more about her, but now let's get to the main point. Your aunt came to me last year and revealed that she was terminally ill; she didn't go into details with me, just saying she didn't have much time." Marlene's voice conveyed great sadness as she spoke about this.

"She told me the whole story about you and your parents, and how she decided she wanted you to have an opportunity that was never really given to you. For several months, she convinced your uncle, trying to accept this idea, and when he finally agreed, he imposed this condition: you have to live in this town and manage the ranch, and not let him have a losing year.”

"I've never managed anything in my life. The most I've ever done was manage a convenience store for two months. Won't that be a problem?" Carmelia's worried voice betrayed her uncertainty about the whole idea.

"You don't need to worry. Despite this situation, your uncle, though quite stubborn, wouldn't leave you alone. Some people have worked with your aunt for years, and they will help you to the best of their ability. Not to mention that many other people in this town will still help you because of the affection they had for her." Marlene's soft, calm voice helped Carmelia calm down a bit.

"And there's one more thing to do before we begin the transfer process. As I explained, your aunt told me all about you, and one of the things she wanted to offer you to give you a better life here is the chance to start from scratch." She opens one of the desk drawers and hands Carmelia some documents.

"These papers are for you to get a new identity, a new name—in other words, a new you. Your aunt told me how persistent your parents and some of your family members are. So I pitched her this idea: if you fill out these documents, you'll be registered with a new first and last name, essentially creating a new person. The process is a bit time-consuming, as there's a need to check for criminal records and other details, but that's just part of the effort to avoid future problems."

Unsure of what to say, her thoughts wandered through the possibilities. A new identity, different from the first time she'd changed her name, would be as if her past had never existed. This made her smile. She would no longer be afraid of someone in her family discovering her in a registry, and even if someone did recognize her, she could claim they were mistaken.

"So, my dear. What do you think?" Marlene waited anxiously for the answer. She just wanted to help her beloved friend's niece, something that would help her cope with the pain of loss.

"I can choose any name?"

"Yes, and even a new surname if you want. A new life without any past to haunt you."

Carmelia smiled more happily. She had already considered changing her name again if her father found her again, but now she could use this name without fear of losing it.

"My name will be Aurora."