Only a few more days—and the culmination of years of late nights, nervous tests, shattered hopes, and fragile dreams would all hinge on this moment: graduation.
Iraya, like countless others before her, had dreams dancing in her mind—visions of gowns swaying, tassels swinging, and the world suddenly swirling with endless possibility.
But beneath the pomp and circumstance, something darker stirred: her plans for revenge were in motion, and they would find their zenith here, on this stage, under the eyes of family, friends, and judges.
The Morning Before.
The air in the auditorium felt thick with expectation: chairs neatly aligned, banners fluttering, freshly polished floors gleaming under harsh lights.
Iraya stood in the wings, heart pounding as she watched classmates chat in excitement, mother's phones poised for that perfect photo, fathers practicing proud smiles, and siblings jigging to be seen.
She tugged at the sleeve of her cap and swallowed.
