***Mid-Term Exam Day***
Emily woke before her alarm, her body thrumming with energy that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with anticipation.
Today, she would show them.
Not everything. Not yet. But enough to shatter every assumption they'd made about who she was.
She dressed carefully simple jeans and a soft sweater, her hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. No statement clothing, no armor. Just the quiet confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was capable of.
Timothy was already downstairs when she came down, dressed for the office but clearly waiting for her.
"Morning," he said, his eyes tracking her movements as she entered the dining room. "How did you sleep?"
"Well enough," Emily replied, pouring herself coffee. Her hands were steady. "You're up early."
"I wanted to see you before you left." Timothy stood, crossing to her side. His hand came up to cup her face, thumb brushing against her cheek. "Are you ready?"
"Very."
