Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO WALKED BACK INTO THE LIGHT
One year later, Abigail stood in front of the newly rebuilt veterans' center.
She had helped transform the organization.
No longer controlled by wealthy families.
No hidden accounts.
No secret rooms.
Every dollar was publicly audited.
Nicholas stood several feet away.
He didn't approach her.
He had learned that love didn't mean demanding forgiveness.
Abigail eventually walked toward him.
“You look different.”
“So do you.”
She smiled.
“I've been working on myself.”
“So have I.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
They didn't kiss.
They didn't reconcile immediately.
Instead, they agreed to begin again.
Slowly.
Honestly.
Without secrets.
I watched from a distance.
For the first time, I felt peace.
Then Daniel Cross approached me.
“You did what your mother couldn't.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“I finished what she started.”
Daniel smiled.
“That sounds like something she'd say.”
I looked at the veterans' center.
“Is it really over?”
He hesitated.
“No.”
I turned.
“What do you mean?”
“Victor Hale wasn't the top.”
My expression hardened.
“Who was?”
Daniel handed me an envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
A man I had never seen.
Underneath:
THE DIRECTOR.
Daniel whispered:
“Someone has been funding this network for thirty years.”
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
May you like
I folded the photograph.
“Then we'll find out.”
