"Miss Noa?"
A persistent knocking, followed by the sound of my name, pulled me from sleep.
I groggily rubbed my eyes, my voice thick with sleep as I called out, "Come in."
The door creaked open, and Nanny Chen, one of our longtime maids, stepped inside. She was always gentle, always patient, and seeing her familiar face brought a small sense of comfort.
"Your dad asked me to wake you, ma'am," she said softly. "He wants you to join them for breakfast. He also mentioned he has some good news for you."
At the mention of good news, my mind snapped fully awake.
Finally.
Something good after everything that happened yesterday.
I stretched and let out a deep breath before giving her a small nod. "Tell him I'll be down in a minute."
She nodded in return, offering me a kind smile before quietly exiting the room.
I sat up, running a hand through my messy hair, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep.
Good news.
I could only hope it was really good—because after yesterday, I desperately needed it.
I headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep and the heaviness of yesterday. After drying off, I searched for something comfortable to wear—nothing too fancy, just something that felt like me. I blow-dried my hair, ran a comb through it, and did a light touch-up before stepping back to examine myself in the mirror.
I took a deep breath.
You'll be fine, Noa.
For a brief moment, I gave myself a small, warm smile—a silent reassurance before heading downstairs to join them for breakfast.
As I approached the dining area, the familiar sounds of plates clinking and utensils being placed on the table filled the air. I expected to see only Dad waiting for me, but to my surprise, Mom was there too, seated right beside him.
I froze for a split second.
I wasn't ready to face her—not yet. The wounds from yesterday still felt fresh. But refusing to sit with them would only make things worse, so I swallowed my hesitation and kept walking.
The moment Mom saw me, she greeted me like nothing had ever happened.
"Oh, there you are! Good morning, sweetie. Take a seat." She gestured to the chair directly in front of her.
Dad looked up as well, his eyes immediately meeting mine.
"Good morning, take a seat, sweet pea," he said with his usual warmth.
I walked toward him first, wrapping my arms around him in the warmest hug I could give. "Good morning, Dad."
Then, I turned to Mom. I hugged her too—just enough so it wouldn't seem like I was still upset. But unlike with Dad, there was a distance, a hesitation.
"Good morning, Mom," I said softly before taking my seat.
"Good morning, Noa. Coffee or tea?" Nana Cecille's bright voice pulled my attention away from the tension in the air. She stood beside the table, her usual warm smile in place, ready to serve.
I hesitated for a moment before answering, "Actually, could you make me some orange juice, Nana?" I asked politely.
She beamed. "Of course, I'll be right back."
Pushing her tea cart to the side, she quickly made her way to the kitchen.
"Orange juice, huh?" Dad chuckled, raising an amused brow.
I simply smiled, unfolding my napkin and placing it neatly on my lap.
Even though everything felt normal on the surface, there was an underlying tension in the air—one I couldn't ignore.
As Dad sliced into his bacon and took a bite, he looked at me with a knowing smile.
"So, Noa, did Chen tell you I have some good news?" he asked casually.
I chewed my scrambled eggs, took a sip of water, and swallowed before responding.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. What is it, Dad?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
He set his fork and knife down on his plate, grabbed his napkin, and gently wiped his mouth before speaking.
"Well," he began, "do you remember what I told you yesterday?"
I frowned slightly, searching my memory, but nothing specific came to mind.
"About my colleague at Stanford University," he prompted. "The one who teaches there?"
I nodded slowly.
"He called me this morning," Dad continued, "and he mentioned that the winter semester just started last week."
He paused, waiting for my response.
I raised an eyebrow, confused. "Okay… and where's the good news? Because that honestly sounds like bad news for me, Dad."
He chuckled. "I'm not done, sweet pea."
I leaned in slightly, my interest growing.
"He told me he could get you admitted," Dad said, his voice filled with certainty. "All you need to do is pass the LSAT or the Law School Admission Test, submit your personal statement about why you want to study law, provide a résumé, and that's it. Don't worry about the letters of recommendation—my colleague will take care of that for you."
My hands flew to my mouth in shock.
Was this really happening?
I was finally going to law school?
I nearly jumped out of my chair to hug Dad, but then I hesitated.
Mom.
She was right there in front of me.
Slowly, I turned my head to look at her, expecting resistance, disappointment—something—but instead, she just sat there, calm and smiling. She looked… peaceful, almost as if she was genuinely happy for me.
Still uncertain, I glanced back at Dad, silently asking him for reassurance. Is this really okay with her?
Dad understood immediately. He reached over and took Mom's hand, and for the first time in a long while, I saw something between them that had been missing—understanding. Acceptance.
"Your mom and I have already talked about this," he said gently. "She promised me she wouldn't stand in the way of your dreams anymore."
I turned back to Mom, and for the first time in months, I felt something shift. A crack in the wall I had built between us.
Maybe… maybe I could start forgiving her.
Mom let out a soft breath before speaking. "But please, sweetie, promise me one thing."
I stiffened slightly, waiting for the condition.
"I'm not going to force you to choose the cello over law," she said, her voice careful and sincere. "But I don't want you to forget the talent you once loved. Just promise me you'll keep playing—even if it's just for yourself."
Relief flooded through me.
I nodded excitedly, my heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "I promise."
Without hesitation, I jumped up from my seat and threw my arms around both of them, squeezing them tightly. "Thank you. Thank you both so much."
Dad patted my back. "Now, go get dressed. My secretary, Abigail, will be here soon to pick you up and help with your admission process."
I pulled back, grinning. "Okay, okay! Thanks, guys!"
I hugged them once more before practically sprinting upstairs to get ready.
"Miss Noa, your orange juice!" Nana Celline called out as I sprinted up the stairs.
I barely glanced back, waving a hand dismissively. "It's for you—enjoy it!" I shouted before disappearing into my room.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I hurried to my closet, flinging the doors open. The cold winter air outside meant I needed to dress warmly but still look professional. I rummaged through my clothes, searching for the perfect outfit—something that would make a strong first impression.
Finally, I settled on a sleek black turtleneck sweater paired with high-waisted gray wool trousers. The fabric was thick enough to keep me warm while still looking polished. Over it, I chose my long camel-colored wool coat, belting it at the waist for a sophisticated silhouette. To complete the look, I grabbed a pair of heeled leather ankle boots and slipped on a pair of elegant gloves to protect my hands from the biting cold.
Satisfied with my outfit, I laid everything out on the bed and quickly headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As I washed my face, the reality of the day ahead sank in.
I styled my hair into soft waves, giving it a natural, bouncy look that framed my face just right. After slipping into the outfit I had chosen, I applied a touch of light makeup—just enough to brighten my complexion and make my eyes stand out. A hint of blush, a swipe of mascara, and a subtle gloss on my lips completed the look.
Once I finished getting ready, I stepped back and gave myself a final look in the mirror.
My reflection stared back, transformed from the anxious, uncertain person I had been into someone determined and confident.
And for the first time in a long while, I noticed something else—happiness.
A genuine smile curved my lips, the kind that reached my eyes and made them sparkle. Today wasn't just another day. It was the start of a new chapter, one where I chose the path ahead of me.
I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a knock at my door, followed by Nana Celline's gentle voice.
"Dear, Miss Abigail is waiting for you downstairs."
"Okay, I'm coming!" I called back.
I quickly grabbed my bag and made my way downstairs. As I reached the living room, I spotted Abigail, my dad's secretary, standing beside him. She was flipping through a stack of documents, likely the ones I needed for my Stanford admission.
Dad looked up as I approached and smiled. "There she is!" he said warmly. "Are you ready? Just ace the LSAT, sweet pea. You've got this!" His voice was full of encouragement.
I smirked, feeling a surge of confidence. "For the last six months, I've been buried in the law books in your office, Dad. Just trust me—I will."
His eyes softened with pride. Before I could leave, he pulled me into a tight hug, whispering, "Good luck, sweetheart."
Abigail, ever professional, adjusted her glasses and gestured toward the door. "Let's go, Miss Noa. We have a big day ahead."
She turned to Dad and gave him a polite nod. "We'll be on our way now, sir."
I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and stepped outside.
This was it.
My future was waiting.
As the car drove closer, I caught my first glimpse of the iconic Stanford University buildings. The sight left me in awe. The campus looked just as prestigious and breathtaking as I'd always imagined. Unable to contain my excitement, I accidentally squeezed Miss Abigail's hand.
"Oh my, I'm sorry, Abigail!" I quickly apologized, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"No worries, Miss," Abigail chuckled, clearly understanding. "I was just as excited when I first saw the Stanford buildings myself."
I smiled at her response and, curiosity getting the better of me, I asked, "You practiced law here?"
She nodded, a soft pride in her expression. "Yes, I graduated in 2022."
"Wow! How was your experience studying here?" I asked eagerly, my interest piqued by the thought of the journey ahead.
Abigail smiled thoughtfully before responding. "It was difficult, but it was all worth it. The challenges shape you into the person you need to be to succeed."
I absorbed her words, nodding. "Can you give me some tips to survive law school?" I asked, hoping to gain some insight.
Her smile grew, and she looked at me with a reassuring warmth. "You just need to believe in yourself and never lose that belief. That's the key to making it through."
Her words were simple, but powerful. I felt a wave of calm wash over me, realizing how true they were. Believe in yourself and never lose it. It was the foundation I needed to carry me forward.
We were now passing through the gates of Stanford Law School, the tall buildings looming before us. I glanced out the window again, a sense of anticipation settling in as we neared my new beginning. The reality of it all was sinking in—and I was ready.
This was really happening.
I was finally on my way to law school.