Ellie’s POV
She shook her head quickly, her dark hair brushing against her cheek. “You don’t need to thank me. You’ve earned every step that brought you here. This—” her eyes moved over me again, full of pride—“this is where you were always meant to stand.”
Her words made my throat tighten, and I had to blink quickly to keep my tears from smudging the kohl around my eyes. I thought of my father, of his steady hand on my shoulder when I was a child, of the way he used to tell me that even the smallest flame could light up the darkest night.
“I just wish your father could see you,” Claire whispered then, her own voice breaking a little.
I swallowed hard, pressing my palm lightly against my stomach as if holding myself together. My reflection blurred for a heartbeat, but I forced my smile
