Chapter 12 - THE DAY FAITH WALKED AWAY
Faith resigned from her position at the mansion the following spring.
She had been accepted into a nursing program.
She had also secured a part-time job at a rehabilitation center.
When she told me, I smiled.
“Congratulations.”
She stared.
“That's it?”
“What did you expect?”
“A fight.”
I laughed.
“I've been trying to stop fighting you.”
She smiled.
Then her expression softened.
“Dominic.”
“Yes?”
“I'm grateful for everything you've done.”
I shook my head.
“You don't owe me gratitude.”
“I know.”
She looked toward the window.
“But I need to build a life that belongs to me.”
I nodded.
“Then build it.”
She hesitated.
“And I don't want to be your caretaker anymore.”
The words hurt.
More than I expected.
But I understood.
“Neither do I,” I said.
She blinked.
“What?”
I looked at her.
“I don't want you to stay because you're paid to look after me.”
Faith went still.
I swallowed.
“I want to know you when neither of us owes the other anything.”
For several seconds, she said nothing.
Then she smiled.
“Ask me again after I've moved out.”
I laughed.
“Fair.”
May you like
She left the mansion two weeks later.
And for the first time, I let someone walk away without trying to stop them.
