Inside, the marble floors and chandeliers gleamed, symbols of the world that had once rejected me. And there I saw them: my father, his impeccable wife, and Brielle in a dazzling red dress.
The presenter’s voice broke the silence:
— Welcome the keynote speaker, the CEO of Monrovia Systems!
My father froze. Brielle nearly spilled his glass of champagne.
I went on stage:
— Good evening. Two years ago, I was told I didn’t belong here. Today, my company is sponsoring this event.
I recounted how I had created Monrovia Systems with just a laptop and a lot of determination.
« Humiliation is a stricter teacher than privilege, » I said. Genuine applause. My father remained motionless.
Later, he approached timidly:
— Ava… I didn’t know.
« No, you didn’t know, » I replied. « You were too busy celebrating my replacement. »
Brielle tried to intervene:
« We didn’t want to… »
« Every word counted, » I interrupted. « But you forgot that someone is reborn in silence. »
My father swallowed his pride:
— You will always be my daughter.
— Yes, he said softly. — But not the one you raised.
Journalists crowded around us, while he looked tiny under the spotlights.
When the crowd dispersed, he tried again:
« I should have guessed. I knew you were perceptive, I just didn’t think… »
« That I could have succeeded without you, » I finished.
He sighed:
« I regret my words. »
— No, I said. — They made me stronger.
Brielle sneered:
— Stop it. You just got lucky with the investors.
« Luck doesn’t sustain a business for two years, » I replied. « Investors buy faith, and you’ve never given that to anyone but yourself. »
« Do you think that makes you better than us? » she exclaimed.
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