Chapter 8 - The Choice Annie Made
After Robert's arrest, the truth became public.
The company survived.
The trust was legally transferred.
The stolen funds were recovered.
But Annie surprised everyone by refusing to keep the money.
“I want to establish a foundation,” she said.
I stared at her.
“For prosthetic care?”
“For anyone who was told they were too unimportant to receive help.”
That became the Carter Mobility Foundation.
The first clinic opened in Charlotte six months later.
Annie finished her engineering program.
She designed affordable prosthetic components.
She became better at engineering than anyone expected.
Including herself.
One evening, I found her in the workshop.
“You're still working.”
“So are you.”
“I own the building.”
“You don't own the clock.”
I smiled.
She looked at me.
“You know what my mother said today?”
“What?”
“She said my father would be proud.”
“He would.”
Annie's eyes filled.
“Do you think your father would have liked me?”
I laughed.
“He would have adored you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he trusted your father.”
“And because?”
I looked at her.
“Because you make my life impossible.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
We stood quietly beneath the workshop lights.
There was no romance.
Not yet.
Only something more important.
May you like
Trust.
Two people who had been betrayed by powerful families slowly learning that family could also mean choice.
