Emma's POV
I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the auditorium.
Then Nicholas.
Then the entire hall clapped while I sat there wondering if I had heard him correctly.
A full scholarship.
For me.
Even now, it didn't feel real.
By the time I reached Nicholas's house the next morning, the cool morning breeze did little to calm the storm inside my head.
I unlocked the kitchen, tied my apron around my waist, washed my hands, and immediately got to work.
Today's breakfast was simple but hearty—herb omelettes, toasted sourdough, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, fresh fruit, and homemade pancakes for Josh. I'd also started a batch of cinnamon rolls before anyone else woke up.
Cooking usually quieted my thoughts.
Today…
Not even whisking eggs helped.
Why me?
There had to be students who needed that scholarship more than I did.
Sure, I worked two jobs.
Sure, life wasn't exactly easy.
But there were hundreds of students in my university.
Hundreds.
