The following year, Elena returned to her home country with the team from the Averton Institute of Design for the International Young Jewelry Designers Competition.
Her entry was a refined and expanded version of Recognition. Its center stones were cut into distinct shapes, and every angle bore a unique marker. Even someone who couldn't recognize a face could identify another person by their voice, their footsteps, their touch, and other small details.
Recognition won the gold medal. The applause continued for a long time.
Nolan sat in the last row. He had lost a great deal of weight. Over the past year, he had turned down countless dinner invitations and every blind date arranged for him. He believed that if he waited long enough, Elena would eventually allow him to explain.
Elena did
