Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO DIDN'T NEED SAVING
My life changed slowly.
Not overnight.
Not because Adrien handed me a fortune.
I returned to school.
I had always wanted to study social work.
But money had made that dream feel impossible.
Now I applied for scholarships.
Worked part-time.
And eventually enrolled.
Mrs. Ellis remained one of my closest friends.
She still forgot things.
Sometimes appointments.
Sometimes names.
Sometimes where she'd put her glasses.
But she was still funny.
Sharp.
Opinionated.
And she insisted on making her own decisions.
Adrien learned to respect that.
Mostly.
One afternoon, I found him arguing with her about a trip to the botanical gardens.
"Mother, you can't go alone."
Mrs. Ellis crossed her arms.
"I can if I want."
I looked at Adrien.
"She's right."
He sighed.
"Of course you think that."
I smiled.
"She's an adult."
Mrs. Ellis grinned.
"Thank you, dear."
Adrien looked at both of us.
Then shook his head.
"I'm outnumbered."
I laughed.
"You've been outnumbered since the restaurant."
He smiled.
And I realized I loved him.
May you like
Not because he was powerful.
But because he was learning how to use that power without taking away other people's choices.
