Chapter 11 - THE JOB SHE CHOSE FOR HERSELF
Brielle refused Dominic's offer of a permanent position at his estate.
He looked disappointed.
She smiled.
“I need to build my own life.”
Dominic nodded.
“I understand.”
Instead, she accepted a position at a community center on Chicago's South Side.
The center provided after-school programs, meals, and support for families.
Brielle worked in the kitchen at first.
Then began training to become a youth counselor.
She discovered she loved working with children.
Not because she wanted to save everyone.
But because she understood what it meant to feel powerless.
One afternoon, Lily visited with Evelyn.
The little girl ran into the community center carrying a yellow flower.
“Miss Brielle!”
Brielle laughed.
“Sunshine!”
Lily handed her the flower.
“For your desk.”
Brielle smiled.
“Thank you.”
Evelyn watched them.
Then said:
“You've found something good here.”
Brielle nodded.
“I think I have.”
That evening, Dominic arrived to pick up Lily.
He found Brielle helping a group of children paint a mural.
The mural showed a neighborhood.
A park.
A school.
A bright yellow sun.
Dominic smiled.
“Looks familiar.”
Brielle laughed.
“I have a thing for yellow suns.”
He looked at her.
“You seem happy.”
She nodded.
“I am.”
Then she looked at him.
“And you?”
Dominic hesitated.
He smiled faintly.
“Working on it.”
Brielle nodded.
“Good.”
They stood together while Lily finished painting a flower.
For the first time, Dominic imagined a future that didn't revolve around power.
A future with ordinary evenings.
Children laughing.
May you like
Someone waiting at home because she wanted to be there.
And the possibility frightened him more than any enemy ever had.
