Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE BOUGHT
Elena recovered steadily.
She returned to work part-time.
But she didn't return to housekeeping.
Instead, she accepted a position helping administer the newly independent staff support program.
She had firsthand experience with the failures it was designed to correct.
She understood the employees.
Their worries.
Their needs.
Their reluctance to complain.
And she insisted on one condition.
The program would operate with independent oversight.
Damian agreed.
One afternoon, he visited her office.
She was reviewing applications.
He knocked.
Elena looked up.
“Damian.”
He smiled.
“Busy?”
“Very.”
“Good.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Good?”
“You seem happy.”
Elena smiled.
“I am.”
He approached.
Then placed a small envelope on her desk.
She frowned.
“What's this?”
“Information about the staff housing program.”
Elena opened it.
Inside was a brochure.
A small white house.
Blue shutters.
A garden.
Yellow flowers.
Her breath caught.
“Damian.”
He watched her carefully.
“It's available through the program.”
She looked at him.
“Did you buy this?”
He hesitated.
“Yes.”
Elena stared.
He continued quickly.
“But it's not a gift tied to our relationship. The program is independently administered. You can apply or not. The terms are the same as for other eligible employees.”
Elena looked down at the photograph.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Lily prayed for a house like this.”
Damian nodded.
“I remember.”
She looked up.
“You remembered?”
He smiled sadly.
“I remember everything she said that night.”
Elena began crying.
Damian stepped closer.
“But Elena, I need you to understand something.”
She looked at him.
“You don't owe me anything.”
Her lips trembled.
“Not affection. Not gratitude. Not a future.”
She wiped her eyes.
“I know.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
Elena looked at the brochure again.
Then laughed through her tears.
“She's going to love the flowers.”
May you like
Damian nodded.
“I thought she might.”
