The words were almost funny.
I looked at him calmly.
“You did.”
Silence.
The truth landed heavily between us.
My mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“Amelia, we’re proud of you.”
I thought about all the years I had wanted to hear that.
All the birthdays.
All the holidays.
All the lonely nights.
Strangely, it didn’t matter anymore.
Because I had learned something important.
Validation means less when you no longer need it.
“Thank you,” I said politely.
My father looked relieved.
