Beneath his shadow

Prologue

Amelia's POV

The day my life changed didn’t arrive with grand fireworks or a dramatic drumroll. It came quietly tucked inside a plain white envelope slipped under our rusting front gate. If I hadn’t been sweeping the front yard that morning, the letter might have been trampled under a neighbor’s careless step.

At first, I didn’t think much of it. The envelope looked ordinary, the type my mother usually received from utility companies, demanding payments we were always late on. I bent down, dusted it off, and almost tossed it aside with the rest of the unwanted mail piled on the porch. But then I saw it.

Richfield High.

The name was embossed in bold, elegant letters across the upper corner, with the school’s crest,a golden lion,shining faintly against the paper. At first, I could only stare, my hands frozen around the envelope.

Richfield High.

The school I’d dreamed about and prayed for. My hands trembled as I tore it open, my heart pounding so loudly I could barely hear the paper rip.

The first line blurred through the rush of my tears:

“We are pleased to inform you…”

I gasped, reading the words again, slower this time, making sure I wasn’t hallucinating. My chest tightened with disbelief as my eyes devoured every letter, every sentence.

I did it. I've been accepted.

Not just accepted,awarded a full scholarship. I can't believe this, but it's true. Am going to Richfield.

I dropped the broom and clutched the letter to my chest. For months, I’d convinced myself it was impossible. Girls like me didn’t get into schools like Richfield. We were invisible to them. But here it was, proof in my trembling hands, a future I never thought I could touch.

“Mom!” I shouted, my voice breaking. “Mom, come quick!”

The clatter of buckets came from inside the house, followed by hurried footsteps. A moment later, my mother appeared at the door, wiping her soapy hands on her faded apron. She looked worried, her brows furrowing as she scanned my face.

“What happened, Amelia? Are u okay?

I couldn’t answer so just handed her the letter. She blinked in confusion before unfolding it. Her lips moved silently as she read, her eyes darting across the page, widening with every line.

When she finally looked up, tears shimmered in her eyes too.

“Amelia…” Her voice cracked. “You did it.”

That was all it took. We clung to each other,crying and laughing on the porch of our tiny house. For once, the world didn’t feel so heavy. For once, it felt like maybe just maybe,the endless sacrifices were worth it.