Chapter 10 - The Unstained SilkOne year later.
The annual Sterling Civic Foundation Gala returned to the grand ballroom of the downtown hotel.
The room was illuminated by sparkling crystal chandeliers, filled with the soft music of a live orchestra, and packed with eight hundred distinguished guests.
I stood in the wings of the stage, waiting for my cue to deliver the keynote address as the newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Foundation board.
Maya walked up beside me, holding a glass of sparkling water. She looked at me from head to toe, her eyes shining with pure pride.
"You look stunning, Serena," Maya whispered warmly.
I looked down at the dress I was wearing.
It was a brand-new, custom-designed gown made of pure, luminescent ivory silk. It fit perfectly, sweeping elegantly across the floor, completely pristine, flawless, and radiant under the stage lights.
I had chosen white deliberately. Not to look backward at the nightmare in the dressing room, but to prove that no toxic person, no lie, and no amount of mud could ever permanently stain my light.
The announcer's voice boomed over the ballroom speakers: "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your keynote speaker, Serena Blake!"
May you like
The audience rose to their feet, welcoming me with a deafening standing ovation.
I took a deep, clean breath, stepped out from the shadows into the bright spotlight, and walked out onto the stage with my head held high, ready to light the way for everyone watching.
