LOGINChapter 40 — Almost Crossing PathsSarah adjusted the files on her desk, trying to steady her breathing. It was still strange to sit behind such a large desk, in such a quiet, well-furnished office, and know it belonged to her now. Just a few weeks ago, she had been dragged out of another workplace in tears. Today, she was the manager.She took a deep breath and reminded herself to stay focused.Outside her office, the company buzzed with activity. It was a Monday morning, and meetings were lined up back to back. Sarah had just finished reviewing some reports when her assistant knocked lightly.“Ma’am, the chairman has arrived with a guest,” the assistant said politely.Sarah nodded. “Please direct them to the conference room. I’ll join shortly.”She stood up, smoothed her skirt, and picked up her notebook. As she stepped out of her office, another door down the hall opened at the same time.Mary Ann Lucky walked out of the elevator lobby, dressed elegantly in a navy-blue suit. Her po
CHAPTER 39 — A Door Finally OpensMonday morning arrived quietly, wrapped in a softness Sarah hadn’t felt in years. There was no rush in her chest, no knot of fear tightening her stomach. Instead, there was a calm anticipation, like the beginning of something new.Downstairs, Grandpa Salvador appeared early, dressed neatly in a well-pressed suit, his walking stick resting comfortably in his hand. His presence carried authority, but his smile was warm and familiar.“Good morning,” he said kindly.“Good morning, Grandpa,” Sarah replied as she helped Tom button his shirt.He cleared his throat lightly. “Sarah, Tom, today I will go with you to Tom’s school.”Tom’s eyes widened in excitement. “Really? With us?”Grandpa chuckled. “Of course. A young man needs his elders to show up for him.”Tom beamed, chest puffing with pride.“And after that,” Grandpa continued, turning to Sarah, “Sarah and I have somewhere important to go.”Sarah paused. “Somewhere… important?”“Yes,” he said calmly. “Yo
CHAPTER 38 — A Mother’s LineLater that day, James took Sarah and Tom to the mall.It wasn’t just an ordinary outing. For Tom, it felt like an adventure. The mall was huge — wide hallways glowing with bright lights, colorful displays in every direction, music humming softly from hidden speakers. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he walked between them, his small hands clasped tightly around Sarah’s fingers on one side and James’s on the other.“Mom, can I get that?” Tom asked eagerly, pointing at a toy store filled with action figures and flashing lights.James laughed softly. “Let’s finish shopping first, then we’ll see.”Tom nodded enthusiastically, already bouncing on his heels.Sarah watched the two of them, her heart swelling. Moments like this felt unreal — peaceful, warm, almost too good to be true. She had spent so many years surviving that she’d forgotten what living felt like.They moved from store to store, Tom chattering happily while James listened attentively, asking
CHAPTER 37 — Morning LightSarah barely slept that night.Each time she drifted close to sleep, her mind pulled her back — to the gentle brush of James’s lips, to the warmth in his eyes when she said yes, to the steady calm in his voice that made her feel safe instead of afraid. Nothing about the night felt rushed or forced. It wasn’t the kind of passion that burned fast and died quickly. It was slow, deliberate, and real.She lay awake listening to the quiet rhythm of the house, her heart full yet cautious, as if it didn’t quite trust happiness to stay.When morning finally came, pale sunlight crept through the curtains. Sarah rose quietly from the bed, careful not to wake Tommy. She walked to his side and watched him sleep for a moment. His face was peaceful, innocent, untouched by the cruelty he had endured. Gently, she pulled the blanket higher around his shoulders and brushed a kiss against his forehead.“Sleep well, my love,” she whispered.Downstairs, the house was already aliv
CHAPTER 36 — The Night She Said YesSaturday night arrived quietly, yet it carried a weight Sarah had never felt before — a mix of hope, fear, and something tender she couldn’t quite name.At exactly eight o’clock, a sleek black car rolled to a gentle stop in front of the mansion. The headlights dimmed, and a uniformed chauffeur stepped out, moving with practiced grace. He opened the back door and smiled politely.“Good evening, ma’am. Mr. James asked me to bring you to the restaurant.”Sarah took a deep breath, her fingers smoothing the fabric of the dress James had sent her. The material shimmered softly under the light, and for a moment, she barely recognized the woman reflected in the car window. She looked… confident. Beautiful. Someone worthy of being chosen.Her heart thudded loudly as she stepped into the car.During the ride, she stared out the window, watching the city lights blur past. She wondered how her life had changed so quickly — from hospital corridors and sleepless
CHAPTER 35 — Before SaturdayFriday came faster than Sarah expected.The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, but instead of welcoming the day with calm, Sarah woke with a restless heart. From the moment she got out of bed, her thoughts refused to stay in one place. She folded laundry slowly, pausing every few minutes as if she’d forgotten what she was doing. She rearranged the small room she shared with Tommy, wiping already-clean surfaces, just to keep her hands busy.Saturday kept calling her name.The date.Every time the thought crossed her mind, her chest tightened in a mix of excitement and fear. She tried to ground herself, reminding herself that it was just a date — nothing more, nothing less. But deep down, she knew it meant more than that. It was a door she had kept locked for years, now standing slightly open.She wandered into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked… tired. Not unattractive — just worn down by lif







