The assessment room released me without applause.
That felt right.
The result followed me into the corridor anyway.
PRINCIPAL ANCHOR ASSESSMENT: PASSED
It moved through my body less like triumph than corrected posture. Something that had been bent for too long had finally remembered its original line.
Helena waited near the private changing room with a dark cashmere wrap folded over one arm. Renate stood beside her, already looking at my hand instead of my face. Elena was speaking quietly into her phone.
Silas remained inside the assessment room.
That was probably wise.
I had seen him only once after the score appeared. His expression had been controlled enough to make looking twice feel medically unwise.
I was halfway to Helena when Auston said my name.
"Ivy."
The corridor chan
