Seven Years Of Votes And Always One Short Chapter 08

The days that followed were richer than any I had ever known.

I quickly settled into the rhythm here.

I taught four classes each week, supervised three doctoral students, and led a seminar on algebraic

geometry.

Standing at the lectern, I often thought of those nights when I read books under streetlights

The students had that light in their eyes, the same light I used to carry,

The dean of the mathematics department was a silver-haired woman named Yara.

She took me under her wing.

Whenever I forgot to eat while buried in research, she would slide over an insulated container filled with slow-simmered pork and rice porridge.

She spoke with a warm smile.

“I heard that a warm bowl of porridge can help when you’re exhausted. I learned how to make it.

Tell me what you think.”

The porridge ran a little salty, and the egg was cut into wobbly, uneven pieces.

I took one spoonful, and my tears dropped into the bowl before I could stop them.

She panicked. “What’s wrong?Does it taste bad?”

I shook my head hard.

“No. This is the most delicious porridge I’ve ever tasted in my life.”

At that, she reached over and stroked my hand, her heart aching for me.

She worked hand cream into my skin, careful as a nurse, walking me through the care step by step.

I stared at her in a daze.

My hands were covered in calluses, my knuckles deformed from years hauling bricks.

The Shermans had only ever seen filth and shame in those hands.

But Yara said, “My dear girl, you’ve endured so much hurt.”

After work, she would drag me out to stroll in parks and browse shops.

She picked out clothes for me and showed me how to style outfits.

I slipped on the clothes she chose, feeling awkward as I stood before the mirror.

Yara watched with warm satisfaction.

“Jojo, you’re tall with a lovely frame. Everything suits you.”

A tight ache rose in my throat.

Things that had once brought scorn could look entirely different through another person’s eyes

My once-shuttered heart slowly sprouted new life.

My advisor also called to tell me that the Shermans had been trying to find me all this time.

He asked if I wanted to reach out to them, and I said no straight away.

He fell silent for a moment and did not press the matter further.

Soon came the Fermat Prize award ceremony.

I put on the blue gown Yara had picked for me.

In the mirror, I saw a tall, poised, self-possessed woman.

Yara smiled warmly.

“Blue truly is your color. You look stunning.”

When I walked onto the stage, my advisor, my friends, and my new French colleagues filled the

seats below.

They all cheered for me.

The Fermat Prize trophy sat heavy in my hands.

Afterward, my advisor caught my sleeve and pulled me aside.

“The Shermans are here too.”

I nodded, my expression calm.

Outside the hall, Grandma looked pinched with anxiety, not a trace of her usual poise.

Aunt wore an awkward look.

Silver had crept into the hair above Dad’s ears, and the lines at the corners of Mom’s eyes had

deepened.

Miles hung at the back, his gaze sliding away whenever it came near mine.

Pearl brought up the rear, demure as a portrait, with resentment swimming just beneath/it.

Mom came rushing up with an enormous bouquet, tears spilling over.

“Jojo! Mom is so proud of you…”

The next second, Yara’s arm came between them, her face pure disbelief.

“Don’t you know Jojo is allergic to pollen?”

The air froze for a heartbeat.

Mom’s face burned with embarrassment and she dropped her gaze. “I forgot.”

Dad stepped forward and cleared his throat.

“Jojo, you truly are a Sherman daughter, such an outstanding achievement.

“I’ll add your name to the family Bible when we get home. We’ve come to bring you back.”

I sat down casually and leaned back in my chair with a faint smile.

“No need.”

Grandma’s eyes flicked over me, the old words out before she could stop them. “Sit properly…”

No one paid her any mind.

This was not the Sherman estate.

I was free to sit or stand however I chose.

Miles took a step forward, nerves written all over him.

“Jojo, why aren’t you wearing the gown I sent? I designed it for you myself.”

I blinked, recalling a package had arrived the previous day.

My tone stayed flat.

“It doesn’t suit me.”

Miles’s head dropped, disappointment washing over him.

Pearl crept forward, tripping over her own words, her voice timid.

“Jo, why did you hide how brilliant you are? Mom and Dad were heartbroken.”

“We’re your family. You’re being so unreasonable…”

I looked at her calmly and smiled.

“If a place would never let me through the door, does it still count as home?”

Silence fell over them all.

I did not linger, and turned to leave for the celebration banquet.