Chapter 13 - THE HOUSEKEEPER WHO RETURNED TO SCHOOL
A year later, Nia Lewis stood outside a community college admissions office.
She held a folder containing transcripts, financial aid documents, and a letter confirming her acceptance into a nursing program.
She had dreamed of working in healthcare when she was younger.
But her mother's illness had forced her to leave school.
Then the bills came.
The debts.
The endless shifts.
The exhaustion.
Now, with the help of a legitimate scholarship program and a manageable repayment plan negotiated with her creditors, she could finally return.
She had moved into a safer apartment.
She worked part-time at a rehabilitation center.
And she was no longer employed by the Costa estate.
Matteo had respected her decision.
They remained in contact.
Not constantly.
Not through expensive gifts.
Sometimes they met for coffee.
Sometimes they talked about books.
Sometimes Matteo asked her opinion about a problem, and she told him exactly what she thought.
He had learned not to interrupt.
One afternoon, Nia showed him her acceptance letter.
Matteo read it.
Then looked up.
"You're going to be a nurse."
She smiled.
"If I pass everything."
"You will."
She laughed.
"You sound very sure."
"I've seen you challenge twelve doctors and an entire room of armed men."
Nia grinned.
"That doesn't mean I'm good at chemistry."
Matteo laughed.
May you like
A genuine laugh.
And Nia realized that the man who had once terrified her now looked strangely human.
