Chapter 1: Foundations and New Beginnings
I’ve always approached my life the way I approach a building project—meticulously, piece by piece. As an architect, my drive has been fueled by two things: ambition and the desire to make my mom, Melissa, proud. She raised me on her own, teaching me resilience through every sacrifice. Now, I’m just days away from flying out to Los Angeles to pitch the biggest project of my career—a moment that feels like the culmination of everything I’ve worked for.

Chapter 2: Departure
The morning of my flight, I rang up Mom. Her steady voice and unwavering confidence in me kept my nerves at bay. At the airport, surrounded by the hum of travelers and the steady drone of announcements, I felt a thrill of anticipation. Boarding the plane, my mind raced through slides and talking points for tomorrow’s presentation—completely unaware that this trip would turn my world upside down.