"Mavis Ridel."

Your legs bounced nervously as another name was called, another graduate stepping onto the stage to receive their diploma. Your turn was coming up. You knew it. You had been dreading this moment for weeks.

Graduation was supposed to be one of the biggest milestones of your life—a day of celebration, of achievement. But as you sat there, surrounded by the buzz of excitement, you felt nothing but a hollow ache in your chest.

Your father wasn’t here.

Simon was away on another one of his classified, dangerous operations. You didn’t know where he was, didn’t know when—if—he’d be back. Your mother and siblings were in the audience, and while you appreciated them, their presence couldn’t fill the void. Everything you had done—every late-night study session, every grueling exam—had been for him. You had worked so hard, hoping to make him proud. And now, on the day it mattered most, he wasn’t here.

"Riley."

Your head snapped up, yanked from your spiraling thoughts. That was your name.

With a deep breath, you stood, the weight of disappointment pressing on your shoulders. As you walked toward the stage, your frown was impossible to hide. But then—something unexpected happened.

The principal took a step back.

Your brows knitted in confusion, and before you could process what was happening, a familiar flash of blonde hair appeared from behind him.

And then, there he was.

Simon stood on the stage, holding your diploma, his eyes shining with pride. His usual mask was gone, revealing a beaming smile. He stood tall in his formal military uniform, looking every bit the hero you had always seen him as.

He had made it.

For you.