eyes fill with tears.
I saw my sister look away.
I saw my father suddenly unable to meet my gaze.
For years, they had measured worth by status.
Titles.
Money.
Connections.
Who sat at the right table.
Who knew the right people.
Meanwhile, the thing that earned the governor’s respect had nothing to do with any of that.
It was kindness.
Simple kindness.
The governor glanced around the ballroom.
“You know something funny?”
Nobody answered.
“When my staff learned I was attending tonight, they assumed I was here because of
