Chapter 14 - THE SUIT IN THE GLASS CASE
Two years after the water incident, Paige graduated from her graphic design program.
She had worked part-time at the clinic while studying.
Her wrist had improved significantly with treatment, though she still needed to manage flare-ups.
She began working as a junior designer at a small studio.
Her first major project was a public awareness campaign about workplace injuries.
The campaign featured photographs of service workers.
Hands carrying trays.
Feet swollen after long shifts.
Faces exhausted beneath fluorescent lights.
The message was simple:
PEOPLE ARE NOT DISPOSABLE.
The campaign gained attention.
Local organizations shared it.
Several restaurants adopted new training and injury-reporting procedures.
Paige was proud.
One evening, Roman invited her to his home.
He had moved out of the cliffside estate.
Now he lived in a smaller house overlooking a quiet harbor.
The place was warm.
Comfortable.
Filled with books and old records.
Paige entered the living room.
Then stopped.
Against one wall stood a glass display case.
Inside was a charcoal-gray suit.
She stared.
"Roman."
He smiled.
"Yes?"
"Is that—"
"The suit."
She burst out laughing.
"You kept it?"
"Of course."
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because it was the most expensive glass of water I've ever had."
Paige laughed harder.
Then noticed a small brass plaque beneath the case.
It read:
THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED.
Her laughter softened.
She looked at Roman.
"You sentimental idiot."
He smiled.
"Guilty."
She stepped closer.
May you like
Then kissed him.
And for a moment, the man who had once terrified an entire restaurant looked like nothing more than a man deeply in love.
