I realized that like the trophy, our relationship was broken but not beyond repair. I carefully placed the pieces on my dresser, a reminder of the day’s events and the work that lay ahead.

In the quiet of my room, I resolved to turn this moment of fracture into one of healing, however long it might take. Because at the end of the day, success wasn’t just about accolades or recognition; it was about the people who stood by you as you earned them, and the bonds you fought to mend even when shattered.