Elena stepped out of the black town car alone.
The driver, Mr. Reynolds, the same butler who'd driven her to every school event since she was six opened her door, handed her the small suitcase, and gave a polite nod.
"Shall I wait, Miss Elena?"
"No," she said. "Thank you. I'll be fine."
He tipped his hat and drove away.
The quad was full of parents. Moms fixing hair, dads taking photos, families hugging too long like they were afraid to let go. Laughter, tears, last minute advice.
Elena stood in the middle of it, suitcase at her feet, watching.
No one hugged her. No one took her picture. No one cried.
She walked toward the dorms, head up, smile fixed.
Inside the welcome assembly, the auditorium was packed. Freshmen in new hoodies, parents in the back rows, phones out. The dean stood at the podium, mid sentence, voice booming.
"…and we are especially proud to welcome the Class of 2029, a group that represents the best of what this institution stands for."
She slipped into a seat near the back.
The dean smiled, flipped a page.
"And now, a few words from our legacy students who are continuing family traditions here. First, Elena Whitlock."
The name hit like a spotlight.
Heads turned. Whispers spread. Phones lifted. A few people in the front rows started clapping before she even stood.
Elena froze.
The dean looked right at her, smiling wide.
"Elena, come on up."
The clapping grew. People stood. Someone near her whispered, "That's Victor Whitlock's daughter. The foundation funded half the science wing."
She felt every eye.
She stood slowly, walked down the aisle like she was walking into a boardroom. The clapping followed her.
When she reached the stage, the dean shook her hand. "Your father has been a pillar of this community for decades. We're honored to have you here."
More clapping. Louder now.
Elena stood there, smiling the practiced smile. She felt like she was five again, standing next to Victor at a charity gala while strangers shook his hand and told him how brilliant he was, how generous, how lucky they were to know him.
She used to watch from the side, small and quiet, waiting for someone to notice her too.
They never did.
They only saw the name.
The dean gestured to the microphone. "A few words?"
She leaned in. "Thank you," she said. "I'm honored to be here. I hope to make my family proud."
Short. Safe.
The room applauded again. Phones flashed. People whispered her name like it was currency.
She walked back to her seat, head high, smile fixed.
The rest of the assembly blurred.
When it ended, people crowded her in the aisle.
"Elena! So glad you're here."
"Your dad funded my research lab last yeartell him thank you."
"Legacy must be nice, huh?"
She smiled at each one, said thank you, nodded, promised to pass messages to her father.
She didn't tell them she hadn't spoken to him in three days.
She didn't tell them the name felt heavier every time someone said it.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket. Caroline.
She stepped outside, found a quiet corner near the auditorium steps, and answered.
"Hi, Mom."
"Did you get to the assembly okay?" Caroline's voice was soft, worried. "I wish I could have been there."
"I'm fine," Elena said. "It was... a lot."
A pause. "Your father wanted to come. He had a meeting. But he said to tell you he's proud."
Elena closed her eyes. "I know."
Another pause.
"I love you, sweetheart. Call me if you need anything. Anything at all."
"I will," Elena said. "Love you too."
She hung up.
The quad was still full of parents hugging their kids goodbye. Moms wiping tears, dads giving last minute advice.
Elena stood there, phone in hand, suitcase at her feet.
No one hugged her goodbye.
No one wiped tears for her.
She picked up the suitcase and walked toward the dorms.
The clapping from the assembly still echoed in her ears.
Just like every other day.
Except this time she couldn't pretend it was for her.
It never had been.