Chapter 1 - Four Empty Seats
Marlo Prescott sat alone in the front row of the nearly empty auditorium, staring at four reserved seats.
Her diploma rested across her knees.
Two bouquets lay untouched on the red chairs beside her. The petals had already started curling beneath the warm auditorium lights. Families still celebrated in the back rows, taking photographs, calling graduates’ names, and laughing about dinner reservations.
Marlo’s phone vibrated in her hand.
Seventeen missed calls.
None from her parents.
She answered the next one.
Aunt Delphine’s voice came through hesitantly.
“Your mother said you failed.”
Marlo’s fingers tightened around the phone.
She looked down at the diploma bearing the degree she had earned with distinction.
“I graduated today—with distinction.”
Silence filled the line.
Behind her, applause rose for another family taking photographs near the stage.
Marlo did not cry.
Her phone buzzed again.
A new email notification appeared, its text blurred beneath her trembling thumb.
Then a calm professional voice reached her through the message she opened.
“Marlo Prescott, your research reached our senior partners.”
Her expression shifted.
Not into happiness.
Not yet.
Into disbelief.
The second line followed.
“That is what your work is worth.”
Marlo slowly stood, holding her diploma and phone against her chest.
May you like
The four chairs remained empty.
But for the first time, she stopped waiting for anyone to fill them.
