“Why ask that all of a sudden?” Evelyn felt her cheeks burn.
“No reason. Emily just mentioned maternity clothes, so I was curious,” Stella said with a grin.
“Not yet. I’ll let you know when there’s news!” Evelyn shook her head.
“Then we’ll be waiting for your announcement!” Stella replied.
The three of them laughed together. They slipped into their graduation gowns and headed downstairs to the auditorium for the ceremony.
Evelyn had been chosen as the outstanding graduate representative. She would give a speech on behalf of the entire economics department.
That made her nervous. She had prepared her speech over a week in advance. She had reviewed it twice with her counselor and the department head before finalizing it.
Even though she had memorized every word and could bring the paper on stage, Evelyn still worried she might freeze from nerves.
So, from the dormitory to the auditorium, she kept taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself down.
“Evelyn, is your husband coming to watch?” Stella asked.
“Yes, but he’ll join my parents and sister after the ceremony for photos and to celebrate,” Evelyn explained.
“Why not let Mr. Sterling attend the ceremony directly?” Emily asked.
“No, I’d be too nervous. When it’s my turn to speak, I might not be able to say a word!” Evelyn shook her head.
“I can’t believe you. He’s your husband! Besides, he watched your school anniversary performance last time. You sang beautifully!”
“That was different. I’d still be nervous!” Evelyn replied awkwardly.
Truthfully, she didn’t know why. Just thinking about Alexander being present made her more anxious.
Maybe deep down, she wanted to perform perfectly in front of him. Caring too much only made her more nervous. So she had to refuse his attendance.
Along the way, they passed students, alumni, and family members all dressed up for the ceremony.
Everyone was chatting and taking photos. Some celebrated their graduation, while others tried to capture the moment.
Evelyn had invited her sister Victoria to attend. But Victoria had a business trip and couldn’t make it back in the morning.
She planned to fly back later and come straight to the venue. She would probably only make it for photos.
Just as Evelyn and her classmates were about to enter the auditorium, she heard someone call her name.
Evelyn turned around and saw her sister Victoria.
“Sister—” Evelyn called out excitedly. “Weren’t you on the morning flight?”
“I took the first flight back just to attend your graduation! Surprise!” Victoria said with a smile.
“Big surprise! You’re the best!” Evelyn said, thrilled.
“Actually, I came back on your husband’s private jet,” Victoria whispered.
“Huh?” Evelyn stared at her sister in surprise.
Victoria didn’t say more. She just winked playfully.
“Go on in. The ceremony is about to start!”
“Okay!” Evelyn nodded with a smile and walked into the auditorium with her sister.
The back row on the second floor was the family viewing area. The graduates sat in front according to their student numbers, making it easier for the diploma and award ceremony later.
The ceremony proceeded as planned. Every graduate was excited and emotional.
No matter if they had signed a contract or not, this moment was a memorable day in their lives.
Evelyn suddenly regretted not letting her parents and Alexander attend.
She wanted to share this happy moment with them.
Later, after giving her speech on behalf of all graduates, she returned to her seat.
She asked Emily if she had taken any photos.
Emily whispered that she had taken several and praised Evelyn’s excellent performance.
Evelyn smiled and thanked her. She grabbed her phone, wanting to pick a photo to send to Alexander.
Just then, she received a text from him.
The message was short—“Wonderful speech! My Evelyn is amazing!”
Evelyn froze. She turned to look at the back. The crowd was so thick she couldn’t see anyone clearly.
She hesitated, then replied.
“Did you come to my graduation ceremony?”
“I’m in the family viewing area on the second floor, with your parents.”
Evelyn read his message. Her eyes turned red, but she felt incredibly excited.
“I was just regretting not having you here! Alexander, thank you for everything you’ve done for me! I love you!”
“Say that last sentence in front of me,” he replied.
Evelyn looked at his words and couldn’t help laughing.
“Okay!” She sent back one word, then put her phone away and focused on the rest of the ceremony.
After the ceremony, Evelyn walked out in an orderly line with her classmates.
Next came group photos for the class and the entire department.
They lined up on the steps of the auditorium for the pictures.
But when Evelyn walked out, she saw Alexander, her parents, her sister Victoria, and Charlotte!
Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise.
Charlotte winked at her playfully.
Evelyn burst out laughing.
After the group photo was arranged, Evelyn ran toward them without stopping.
“Charlotte, how did you get back?”
“I wanted to come back earlier, but I couldn’t leave. Luckily, I made it this morning!” Charlotte hugged Evelyn with a smile and explained.
“I knew you were busy, so I didn’t tell you about coming back. I didn’t expect you to show up!”
“We promised to be there for each other. Oh, forget it. You belong to someone else now!”
After Charlotte finished, they both laughed.
Then Evelyn hugged Alexander and her family, thanking them for coming to her graduation ceremony.
She was so moved she started crying.
They teased her, saying she was already a university graduate but still acted like a child.
Evelyn laughed through her tears. She didn’t explain. She was just too emotional.
Next came a series of group photos—with family, with classmates, with counselors, and with school leaders.
Evelyn felt like a model. She stood still and waited for whoever wanted a photo to lean in automatically.
She also took several family pictures. Each one was beautiful without any editing. The smiles were bright, the expressions and poses natural, and the background stunning.
Later, her classmates commented that Evelyn was the ultimate winner in life.