The Eclipse of the Heart
A novel of Lyra's real life story seeking freedom, American dreams, love, family and soul purpose in America.
Chasing the American Dream
My father was born on the first day of Lunar New Year in the year of Dragon. So deep down, I know I'm a daughter of a dragon.
When I first set foot in the United States as an international student in 2010, I had no idea how much obstacles my journey ahead would demand. I arrived in the snowy winter, wide-eyed and excited, but completely unprepared for the challenges ahead. The culture felt foreign, the language a barrier I had yet to master. I couldn't speak English in full sentences. I had no family to guide me, no safety net—only the quiet determination to build a life from nothing.
I earned my psychology degree from Marietta College, Ohio, but in those early years, I felt lost. I was young, uncertain, and unsure of how to turn my degree into a promised future. So, I set it aside and followed something more familiar—the entrepreneurial spirit that ran through my family’s veins. I taught English online while managing tech projects remotely, learning to navigate the business world one step at a time.
But there was another, deeper challenge. Unlike my American peers, I couldn’t walk into a corporate office and start my career. My immigration status limited my options, forcing me to take whatever opportunities I could find. While others climbed the ladder or got married in fancy weddings, I was building my own from scraps, holding onto the dream of making America my home.
When Love Becomes a Trap
Like many young women, I longed for romantic love. When I met a charming man from West Virginia, I thought I had found it. He was worldly, and sophisticated—fresh from a trip to Costa Rica, full of stories about working with Hollywood and other successful individuals. He took me to fine dining restaurants, showered me with attention, and made me believe that he was one of the most outstanding men I've met. He was the only man that has ever danced with me on the street.
But once he knew I was his, his mask fell.
He belittled me, convincing me I was an unsophisticated foreigner who needed to be molded, trained, and controlled. He chipped away at my confidence, twisting my thoughts until I started to believe him. Slowly, I lost myself. And I lost $20,000 of my money to him.
Coming from a family built on love and kindness, I knew, deep down, that I deserved more. But breaking free wasn’t easy. By the time I escaped—with the help of friends, the police, and church members—I was shattered. My soul felt empty, my self-worth in ruins.
And yet, I had no choice but to heal.
The Path to Healing
Two years after left him, I still wasn't able to smile or to love. This trauma had drained me of everything, including the ability to seek professional help. Therapy wasn’t an option—I had no money left for it. So, I searched for another way to mend my heart.
I stumbled into a spiritual workshop, not knowing that it would be the turning point in my life. One by one, I attended different workshops, hoping to patch the wounds I couldn’t see but could feel every moment of every day. I was mentally exhausted, depressed, and numb.
Then, I found something that changed everything—Flower Essence.
Through it, I learned how to release trauma not just mentally, but energetically. The healing was intense, visceral—sometimes even physical. For an entire year, my body purged the pain. There were days when I would vomit, as if my soul itself was rejecting the past. Slowly, the weight on my chest lifted.
And then, finally, I was ready to move on again.
A New Beginning
When I met Eric, I wasn’t looking for a grand romance—I was looking for peace and safety. And so was he.
He had been hurt, too. His past marriage had left scars of its own, and he understood my pain in a way no one else had. We were two people searching for shelter in one another.
The first time I walked into his house, I saw a reflection of his inner struggles. It was unfinished, cluttered—evidence of a man who had been surviving, not living. Just like me.
For two years, we healed side by side. It wasn’t the kind of love that sweeps you off your feet. It was the kind that plants your feet firmly on the ground, reminding you that you’re safe, that you’re home.
Eventually, we got married.
And with that, my true journey in America began.
My New American Dream
After I eventally feel safe and settled in the US, I look forward to building a future here where I can afford to have children and give them a life filled with love, security and prosperity. To achieve this, I am seeking a job that will serve as the strong backbone of my family's stability. I am committed to being a valuable contributor to my new community and will dedicate myself fully to any opportunity that allows me to grow and make a meaningful impact.
Contact
Please email before you try to call. I don't pick up phone calls very often.
740-516-3029