Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO FOUND HER OWN NAME
I accepted the position at the preservation firm.
My first major project involved restoring a historic theater on Chicago's South Side.
The building had been abandoned for years.
Its plaster ceilings were cracked.
Its murals were faded.
But beneath the damage, it was beautiful.
I loved every minute.
I spent hours reviewing architectural drawings.
Working with conservators.
Documenting original materials.
And helping plan the restoration.
Gabriel visited one afternoon.
He stood in the empty auditorium.
“This is incredible.”
I smiled.
“Wait until you see it finished.”
He looked at me.
“You're happy.”
I nodded.
“I am.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
That evening, we returned home together.
I noticed a new envelope on the library desk.
Inside was a letter from Elena.
She apologized.
Not vaguely.
Not with excuses.
She acknowledged humiliating me at the wedding.
She admitted she had judged me by my background and clothing.
And she accepted responsibility for remaining silent about Vittorio's wrongdoing.
I read it twice.
Then sat quietly.
Gabriel watched.
“You don't have to forgive her.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
I folded the letter.
“I might someday.”
He smiled faintly.
“That's enough.”
For the first time, I felt that my identity no longer depended on being Mrs. Gabriel Romano.
I was Catherine Bennett Romano.
An architecturally trained restoration specialist.
A daughter.
May you like
A wife.
And a woman who had finally learned to speak for herself.
