Because he had never bothered to ask.
The university president shook my hand.
“Congratulations, Amelia.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Then I stepped behind the podium.
The applause faded.
Thousands of faces looked up at me.
I adjusted the microphone.
And suddenly I saw them.
Front row.
The family that had taught me exactly what rejection felt like.
The family that accidentally taught me resilience.
For a moment, memories flooded back.
The tiny rental room.
The instant noodles.
The 4:30 a.m. alarm clocks.
