Chapter 9 - THE HOUSE SHE CHOSE
Fay moved into a small apartment near Saint Anne's Hospital.
It had pale yellow walls.
A narrow balcony.
A kitchen barely large enough for two people.
And a window that caught the morning sun.
She loved it immediately.
Mrs. Alvarez helped her unpack.
Rose visited when her strength allowed.
And Vincent?
He stayed away unless Fay invited him.
He sent one message.
I hope you're settling in. If you need anything related to the investigation, Elias can coordinate through your attorney.
Fay read it.
Then smiled.
For the first time, a powerful man had offered help without demanding access to her life.
She replied:
Thank you. I'm doing well.
Three days later, she received another message.
Would you like to have coffee sometime? No pressure.
Fay stared.
Then laughed.
She typed:
Are you asking me on a date, Mr. Cross?
His reply arrived quickly.
I'm trying to. Apparently, I'm not very good at it.
Fay smiled.
Coffee. Saturday. Public place.
Agreed.
She set down her phone.
Then looked around her apartment.
For years, she'd lived in a mansion that belonged to someone else.
Now she had a home.
Small.
Imperfect.
May you like
Entirely hers.
And she was beginning to believe she deserved more than survival.
