•Vera POV•The clapping felt louder than my thoughts as I stepped onto the stage. My heels hit the floor, and for a second, I almost forgot how to walk. I paused, then laughed softly, lifting my hands.“Okay, okay,” I said into the microphone. “If you people clap any louder, I’ll start shedding tears of joy again, and I don't want to ruin my makeup.”Laughter rolled through the hall, easing the tight feeling in my chest.I took a deep breath and looked around. The lights were bright, but I could still see faces. Smiling faces. Proud faces. Then my eyes found Juliet.She was sitting close to the runway, Jace beside her. She was smiling at me like she always did, calm, steady, like she wasn’t the one who had just changed my entire life.For a moment, my throat tightened.“I didn’t prepare a speech,” I admitted, shaking my head. “Because honestly, I didn’t even know this was happening today.”More laughter followed.“But standing here right now…” I paused, letting my eyes travel around t
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