Chapter 81 Felt Desired

• The applause that followed was warm and sincere, and in that moment, I felt as if every scrap of fear and mistrustfulness was being replaced by something far more potent — a feeling of power over my fortune. After the announcement, as the guests mingled and complimented me, I set up a quiet corner to reflect on what this day truly meant.
• As I walked alone in the exchange, my fritters on the cool glass of one case, letting quiet hum around me, the hugeness sounded more like the dozens of insomniac nights in plaguing tone- distrust. The terror was nearly strong enough to move myself that perhaps one day nothing in the world had to partake or see any piece of me again. And yet, then I was, girdled by the palpable proof that my trip signified — a trip defined not by the failures of the past, but by the promise of an unborn erected on adaptability.
• latterly, as the event began to wind down and the last of the guests left with warm farewells, Maria and I sat down with Mr. Zack for a quiet mug of coffee in the now-silent showroom. The soft clink of mugs and the low murmur of our discussion filled the space, advancing a sense of closeness to the moment." You did wonderfully tonight," Maria said, her voice full of admiration." I know you were spooked, but you stepped up and possessed your story."