Boundless

제 9 장

Athena

The applause erupted like summer rain—sudden, warm, and fleeting. My name echoed down the hall like a song I'd waited my whole life to hear sung right. "Congratulations, Ms. Jackson, for completing your requirements and officially being certified as an educator."

The certificate trembled slightly in my hand as a member of the staff passed it to me. I steadied it, and myself, with a breath. A long, weighted breath that carried years of quiet sacrifice, silent endurance, and victories won in private.

The room clapped. I smiled.

But deep inside—I wept.

Because this moment... this paper... it meant everything. I hadn't just passed a milestone—I'd broken a generational curse. I had climbed a mountain carved by the rough hands of the world that said, You won't make it. I had been told I would kneel, crawl, fold beneath life's weight—but here I stood. Upright. Unbroken.

Educator.
The word felt divine on my tongue. Sacred. Like it had been stitched into my skin before I was even born.

They passed around cake—vanilla with a cheap strawberry filling—and posed for pictures under the flickering lights. But I didn't mind. I felt glorious in my silky blue dress, the one Jae had gifted me. It hugged my curves with a grace I hadn't known fabric could possess, like it had been sewn from threads of confidence and moonlight.

"You look so pretty today," Ms. Oh said, her voice wrapped in a tight little smile.

I bowed slightly, my gratitude wordless, my energy too full to waste on insincerity.

And then—cinnamon.

Warm, earthy, and unmistakably him. His arms snaked around my waist before I even turned. My breath caught.

"Jae?" I spun around, shocked, delighted. "What are you doing here?"

It was as though the room had been struck by a silent thunderbolt. Conversations died mid-sentence. Cups paused halfway to lips. And there he was, placing the gentlest kiss on my lips in front of everyone like he'd been waiting his whole life to do just that.

"I thought I'd surprise you," he murmured, lifting a bouquet of fresh lilies and baby's breath from behind his back.

He smelled like coffee beans and heaven. Like long nights I never wanted to end.

"I'm happy you're here," I whispered, cheeks glowing like dusk. "But... seriously, Jae, all these people—"

He kissed my temple, brushing his lips against my skin like a sacred vow. "I came to celebrate my woman's special day. The woman I love."

I blinked. Stilled.

"What... did you say?"

But before he could answer, Mrs. Kim clutched her heart. "Beautiful couple," she said, tearfully. "On such a beautiful day. Athena, I'm so proud of you. Truly, you're one of the most brilliant young women I've had the pleasure to watch bloom."

I bowed again, my eyes glassy. She opened her arms and I fell into them, letting her warmth wrap around the quiet ache I didn't know I'd carried. And as Jae whispered, "I'm so proud of you," in my ear—I broke. A single tear slipped down my cheek, and he caught it with his thumb like it was the most precious thing in the world.

In the corner of my eye, I saw Ms. Oh watching him with the focus of a sniper.

Clearing my throat, I turned to the others. "Should we celebrate tonight? Dinner, maybe karaoke?"

My co-worker clapped. "Yes! Let's go all out."

I glanced at Jae. "Will you come?"

He sighed, regret softening his face. "I wish I could, darling. But my father has me tied to the office late tonight."