Page 1 of Best Kept Vows

CHAPTER 1

Ophelia

When they say that was the last straw, how many others came before it? Can you count them? Do they even matter when the final one hits?

For me, the last straw was when Sebastian decided that another work meeting was more important than being there for me, with my daughter and son, when I got my master’s degree in business from Savannah State University.

Not onlythat,but I had graduated at the top of my class and was recognized by being invited to be a student speaker. It was an honor, and as I sat in the front row on stage, waiting for my name to be called, I looked around to see if Sebastian had come. But the seat next to my daughter, Ada, was empty.

I had told myself not to expect much, to brace for the inevitable disappointment, but a small, foolish part of me had still hoped.

Well, nothing could be done about that now, could it?

For the past three years, since Sebastian had taken over his family’s company, Boone Metals, when his father had a stroke, our lives had changed. He’d become obsessed with work—and the man who’d at least made time for his family had disappeared into the caverns of the factory,savingthe company.

Even as Boone Metals consumed him, even as he missed countless dinners, recitals, and games—he had been there when it mattered most. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself. He’d shown up for every one of the kids’ milestones—birthdays and graduations, even if he was perpetually in a hurry to get back to a meeting.

The dean of the business school stepped up to the podium, clearing his throat. “And now, it is my honor to introduce a very special graduate, someone who embodies perseverance, resilience, and the courage to reinvent oneself. Please welcome our student speaker, Ophelia Boone.”

Applause filled the auditorium. I took a breath, stood, and made my way to the podium.

As I stepped in front of the microphone, I scanned the crowded auditorium once more, as if I could have somehow missed him in the sea of faces. But there was no mistaking the truth. I knew Tristan was watching from a FaceTime window on Ada’s phone. Ada was smiling proudly; she was practically vibrating with excitement.

Sebastian hadn’t even texted to wish me luck, to say congratulations, or even to apologize for not being able tomake it. He had left for work even before I woke up this morning.

I swallowed against the lump rising in my throat.

I’d spent twenty-two years being his support system, holding together everything with the family and our home while he built a career, traveled the world, and made a name for himself. And when he walked away from his own company to take over Boone Metals, I had been patient as he buried himself in salvaging his family’s legacy, waiting for him to come up for air—to see me.

ButIwasn’t his legacy, and since the kids left home, they and I both realizedtheyweren’t, either. The family company always came first.

I shrugged off the disappointment. No way was I going to let Sebastian take away from today’s joy.

I smiled broadly and began to speak. “It’s truly an honor to be here—especially because, honestly, I never thought I’d make it. At forty-four, I’m one of the oldest in our cohort…well, aside from Jim.”

Some clapping and laughter followed.

“He and I partnered on a lot of our projects. We were called the ‘Geriatric Duo.’”

More laughter.

“Twenty-one years ago, when I found out I was pregnant with my oldest child, my son, Tristan, I put my professional dreams on hold. And I don’t regret it—not for a second. I raised two incredible children, built a life, and supported my husband. I built a family I’m very proud of. But somewhere along the way, I forgot someone important:myself.”

I looked at Ada, who nodded animatedly and gave me a thumbs-up.

“I came back to school thinking I was too old, too out of place. I wondered if I was making a mistake. But what I learned here—what wealllearned—is that growth has no deadline. Reinvention has no expiration date. And the world won’t hand you a second chance—you have to reach for it yourself.”

I took a deep breath, the words spilling out of me. I’d practiced them for the past week, but they didn’t feel rehearsed. They seemed to come from deep within me, speakingmytruth.

“For those of us who took the unconventional path, who started later, who juggled jobs and families and late-night study sessions—we did it. We proved to ourselves that we are more than what we’ve been, more than what others expect from us. Today isn’t just a celebration of what we’ve achieved. It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to become who we were meant to be. So, let’s go out there. Let’s build, let’s create, let’s start over if we have to. Let’s never stopbecoming.”

As I returned to my seat on stage, the applause was loud, and I grinned when I saw Ada jumping up and down, holding the phone, because she couldn’t quite clap. I was sure Tristan was telling her to stand still because everything was shaking for him on screen.

There were a few more speeches, but I barely heard them. My pulse pounded in my ears as I sat with my hands clasped tightly in my lap. Then, finally, themoment came. One by one, the graduates crossed the stage, their names echoing through the auditorium, followed by cheers from family and friends. My breath caught as the line moved forward. Then?—

"Ophelia Boone."

I stood, straightened my gown, and walked forward, my heels clicking against the polished stage floor. For a brief moment, I felt the pressures of the past few years—the late-night study sessions, endless assignments, and the struggle of balancing coursework with running a home. All the time, I wondered if I was crazy for starting over at this stage in my life.

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