“Mariana…” Rodrigo stammered, looking at the university medal pinned to my gown. “I… I had no idea you were the founder of Luz del Norte. My business school used your company as a case study in our venture capital seminar last month.”
“Congratulations on your master’s degree, Rodrigo,” I said softly, giving him a genuine, polite smile. “It’s a great achievement.”
Teresa stepped forward, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch my arm. “Mariana… mija… why didn’t you tell us you were giving the speech? We would have organized a family dinner for you too! We could have celebrated together!”
I looked at my mother—the woman whose validation I had spent twenty-five years begging for, and whose absence at my own graduation had once broken my heart.
