“Go change—you look ridiculous,” my father laughed after my mother purposely ruined my dress. I left quietly. When I returned wearing a general’s uniform, the room fell silent as he stared at my shoulders and whispered, “Wait… are those two stars?”

That was how long I needed to stay before leaving wouldn’t be considered socially rude.

I wasn’t here to socialize.

I wasn’t here to reconnect.

And I definitely wasn’t here to impress anyone.

I was here because the entire evening had been organized for my father.