The look on my mother's face was worth every moment of hiding my true identity. Her eyes were wide, filled with a mixture of disbelief and pride that I'd never seen directed at me before.
"You're really Dr. Emma Bella?" she whispered again, as if repeating it might make it more real. "The same Dr. Bella whose research papers I've been following for years?"
I nodded, unable to stop the small smile forming on my lips. "The very same."
"I knew you were intelligent, but this..." She gestured helplessly. "You've published over thirty groundbreaking papers. Your work on renewable energy is revolutionary."
From the corner of my eye, I could see Aunt South's expression transforming from barely concealed contempt to something resembling respect. The change was so dramatic it might have been comical under different circumstances.
"Well," Aunt South said, clearing her throat awkwardly, "it seems I've underestimated you, Juliana. My apologies."
