Coco Jones' You played softly as Nuri combed down the sleek, wrapped silk press that had been resting beneath her scarf. The flat iron hissed as it kissed her hair, laying eachstrand down flawlessly. She then sprayed herself with one of her favorite summer perfumes,Gucci Flora. It was soft, floral, and decadent. She slipped in her diamond and silver accessories, the glittering ensemble framing her face, wrists, and neckline like a crown would grace a queen. Her fingers trembled slightly—not from nerves, but from reverence. This moment wasn’t just about walking across a stage. It was about recovering her identity, a rebirth into womanhood with nothing, and no one holding her back.
Minutes later, her doorbell rang. "Coming!" Nuri called, her heels clicking with elegance across the floor as she made her way through the front room. When she opened the door, her mother stood there glowing, her face filled with uncontainable pride.
“Nuri! You’re breathtaking, baby.” Nova’s voice cracked, but she swallowed her emotion quickly.
“Thank you so much, ma.” Nuri smiled softly, Nuri replied, her attention instantly diverted to her new-found father, Ali.
He stood behind Nova, speechless. He was just getting to know his daughter, but she wasn't a baby anymore, she was a full-fledged adult. He'd lucked up one time before, finding love at first sight. Ali didn't think it would ever happen again, but when he laid eyes on Nuri—she made him a believer that miracles could happen twice.
Nuri, on the other hand, didn't know whether to address him as Dad or Ali.
"You're gorgeous, Sweetie," Ali broke the brief silence, acknowledging his daughters’ undeniable beauty. She was the perfect mix of both Nova and Ali.
"Thanks, Dad," Nuri replied with what came natural to her. When she looked in his eyes, she couldn't bring herself to call him Ali.
"Come on in. I just need to grab my purse and car keys."
"No need," Ali told Nuri. "I hired a driver so we can all ride together in the limo. I can't even begin to understand how you and your mother survived the hell Boyd put y'all through,” he continued, the depth in his tone weighing heavy between them. “I feel like I owe you both an apology for not being here. For not protecting y’all like I should’ve. I apologize to you for his poor example of what a real man looks like and what real men do. I hate that he ever made you think you deserved anything less than royalty. If you give me a chance, Nuri... I’ll start from scratch. I’ll do the work. Earn your love, your respect, your trust, and loyalty. Today, I just want to celebrate with you. Is that alright?"
"Yes, I'd love that." Nuri approved, while her mother stood back and beamed. This day would mark more than just her degree. It would mark the beginning of everything she had prayed for finally meeting her halfway.
Two Hours Later…
The day had a pulse of its own. The sun stretched out over Blake University, warm and golden, like it had been saving its best light for this very moment. Nuri stood at the edge of everything—past, pain, promise—and watched the world move gently around her.
Magnetic
Electric.
Silas stood in the parking lot like a quiet storm. Draped in all-white designer linen threads, his presence was something to pause for. The type of man who carried answers without questions, stillness without silence. His white gold chain shimmered like a whisper against his skin, but it was the way he looked at her that spoke words only her spirit could comprehend.
Ali stepped out first, then offered his hand to assist Nova in getting out, then Nuri. Nuri stepped out of the black car with grace that didn’t ask for permission. Ali’s hand had guided her gently, but when her eyes met Silas’—time folded.
They didn’t say anything. Didn’t need to. They had the kind of connection that was soul-deep, bone-rooted, and didn’t beg to be noticed. It just existed. Loud in its silence. Soft in its certainty.
Nuri threw caution to the wind, and found her way into Silas' arms. She didn't care who didn't like it, they could close their eyes. She wasn't looking for approval. She'd found real love. Real love that didn't give a damn about the thirteen-year age gap between them. Silas was her person, her protector... her teacher, and her lover. The world needed to see and know that shit because she was all in, and coming ten toes down behind her man.
Silas welcomed her into his strong arms without hesitation. He'd already let Ali know what it was when it came to Nuri, and though he hadn't spoken to Nova; she knew what time it was.
“You lookin’ good as hell in this lil’ ass dress, Ms. Sinclair,” Silas murmured, voice low and laced with smirk.
“Marciano,” Ali corrected from behind them. “She’s a part of me.”
Silas nodded his acknowledgment. He knew what Ali meant, but he also knew he was going to change that too in due time.
They moved into the building slowly, the world moving around them like background music. Ali and Nova made their way to their seats while Silas walked Nuri to her designated space. There was no rush. No pressure. Just them.
“Hey, sis!” Bre lit up as soon as Nuri slid into the seat beside her. “You ready to make history?”
Nuri smiled, heart steady. “Been ready.”
The ceremony began. Names were called. Faces lit up. But when the announcer’s voice wrapped around her name like a velvet ribbon.
“Nuri Nicole Marciano… Magna Cum Laude!”
It was like the entire world stood still just to hear it. The auditorium broke open with cheers. It wasn’t noise—it was joy.
Loud. Free. Belonging only to her.
