Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED HIS FORTUNE
Tess graduated from nursing school the following year.
She passed her licensing examination and began working as a registered nurse.
Julian was proud.
He offered to help her pay off her remaining student loans.
She refused.
“Julian, I love you.”
He smiled.
“I love you too.”
She took his hand.
“But I need to know I can stand on my own.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
Instead, Julian supported a scholarship program for nursing students from low-income families.
Tess helped advise the program.
Together, they worked to ensure recipients were selected through independent criteria.
One afternoon, Tess visited Julian's office.
She found him staring at a photograph of Elise.
Tess hesitated.
“Should I come back?”
Julian looked up.
“No.”
She stepped closer.
He smiled sadly.
“Today would have been our anniversary.”
Tess nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
He looked at the photograph.
“I still miss her.”
Tess took his hand.
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“Does that bother you?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He stared.
She continued.
“Loving me doesn't mean you have to stop loving the person you lost.”
Julian's eyes filled.
May you like
He hugged her.
And for the first time, he understood that grief and new love could exist in the same heart.
