For a moment, Dorothy thought she had heard incorrectly. She sat frozen in her seat.
The applause around her sounded distant. Almost unreal.
Only when her assistant squeezed her hand did she finally react. Slowly, she stood up.
As she walked toward the stage, countless memories flooded her mind. There had once been a time when she could barely afford proper meals.
A time when she struggled alongside her mother. Yet now she was standing before thousands of people. Receiving an award for her acting.
The contrast felt surreal. When she reached the podium, her hands trembled slightly.
Taking a deep breath, she began her speech.
First, she thanked her fans. Then her parents. Then the friends and colleagues who had supported her journey.
Finally, she paused. A warm smile appeared on her face.
She looked directly toward one of the cameras. "There is one person I need to thank."
Dorothy's eyes softened.
"None of this would have been possible without my best friend."
