Chapter 43
Emily’s POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room as I slowly woke up. I stretched, feeling the weight of the previous night’s events still lingering in the back of my mind. After washing up, I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
The scent of scrambled eggs, toast, and freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a simple routine that brought a sense of calm to the chaos that had unfolded at the banquet.
As I sat down to eat, my thoughts drifted back to the argument between Lily and me. Keith had overheard everything–her perfect, carefully crafted image shattered in an instant.
For so long, she had managed to deceive him, but the truth had finally come out. I wasn’t rejoicing over Lily’s downfall; it wasn’t about revenge.
It was si
the realization that lies can only last for so long before the truth emerges, and everyone eventually finds their place in this world.
Just as I was taking a sip of coffee, my phone buzzed on the counter. I picked it up to see a message from Frank, and a smile crept across my face. His text was playful, teasing me as usual.
Frank: “I can’t stop thinking about last night… Made things a little.
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embarrassing in the patrol car earlier. My partner noticed my pants, and now I’ve got some explaining to do.”
I chuckled, feeling a lightness I hadn’t experienced in years.
Emily: “Well, someone’s in trouble! Can’t say I’m sorry for that.”
Frank: “All your fault. Guess we’ll have to work on this. You up for a challenge?”
Emily: “Oh, I think I can handle it. Let’s just say practice makes perfect.”
Frank’s flirty banter never failed to brighten my mood. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was truly happy. He made me feel loved, needed, and appreciated in ways I hadn’t felt in so long.
Our playful teasing continued, lightening my thoughts from the banquet, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was finally finding my footing in this new chapter of my life.
After finishing breakfast, I glanced around the kitchen and realized there were still a few things left to do before I could head out. With a deep breath, I decided to tackle the house chores quickly–there was something about the routine that felt grounding.
It was a simple way to bring a sense of order to the day. I cleared the dishes from the table, rinsing them off before stacking them neatly in the dishwasher. As I wiped down the countertops, I felt a quiet satisfaction at taking control of even the smallest things.
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Next, I grabbed a broom and swept the floor, watching as the morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting warm, golden hues across the room.
It was moments like these that reminded me why I had decided to resume handling everything by myself. There was a certain peace in it–no one hovering, no one reminding me of the past. Just me, my thoughts, and the tasks at hand.
Next, I folded the laundry that had piled up from the night before, carefully sorting through the clothes and folding them neatly. Everything was ready for the day ahead, and the house felt calm and organized.
With the last few chores out of the way, I grabbed my bag and slipped on my shoes, feeling a sense of accomplishment. The house felt clean, organized, and ready for the day. I took one last look around, satisfied with the work I had done, before picking up my car keys.
The drive to the Hope House was peaceful, the steady hum of the car, engine lulling my thoughts into a calm rhythm. It felt good to be in control again, to handle things on my own terms.
By the time I arrived at the Hope House, the children were already outside, playing in the yard, their laughter filling the air like music. As soon as they saw me, they came running over, their excited voices a welcome sound.
“Miss Emily!” one of the younger ones called out, running over and tugging at my hand. “How are you?”
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I smiled, crouching down to meet their gaze and gently ruffled their hair. “I am as fantastic as you.” I smiled. “Kids, do you know where Purple is?”
The kids exchanged glances, then one shrugged. “I don’t know where she went.”
Just as I was about to thank them, Hailey appeared from around the corner, her face lighting up as soon as she saw me. Seventeen–year–old Hailey had been at Hope House for a while now, after being kicked out by her family when she became pregnant at fifteen. Despite everything she had been through, she had grown so much–her resilience and strength were nothing short of inspiring.
“Purple’s in her office,” Hailey said, gesturing toward the building. “She’s been talking non–stop about yesterday’s event.”
“Thank you, Hailey,” I said warmly. “How are you doing? You seem like you’re doing well.”
Hailey offered a soft smile and nodded. “I’m doing good. Really good, actually. The kids keep me busy, and, well, you know… it’s nice to feel needed here.”
I felt a surge of pride for her. “You’re doing a great job. I’m really proud of how far you’ve come.”
Hailey glanced down, her cheeks flushing with a hint of color. “Thanks, Miss Emily. I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for you and Purple.”
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“Don’t sell yourself short. You did this,” I reminded her with a smile. “You’re strong. Don’t ever forget that.”
Hailey gave me a grateful nod, and after a quick chat with the other kids, I made my way to Purple’s office, ready to catch up on the success of the previous day’s event. When I walked in, she was glued to her computer. screen, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Emily! You won’t believe this,” Purple said, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. “Yesterday’s event was a massive success! Donations have more than doubled, and there are articles about you everywhere.
Everyone’s talking about you–no one can believe that you are the founder of the foundation!”
I blinked, surprised. “Really? I knew the event went well, but I didn’t expect this kind of response.”
Purple nodded vigorously, turning her screen so I could see the articles. flashing across the screen. “You’re all over the news. And get this–Keith donated ten million dollars.”
My jaw dropped. “Ten million? Keith always donates generously, but never that much.”
Purple grinned. “Looks like someone’s really feeling generous lately. Whatever happened last night clearly had an impact.”
I stared at the screen, still processing the news. The success of the event was beyond what I had imagined, and Keith’s donation… I wasn’t sure
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what to make of it.
Maybe it was his way of making amends, or perhaps it was something else entirely. Either way, the foundation was flourishing, and that was what mattered most.
As I pulled out my phone to text Frank about the incredible news, Purple‘ s voice suddenly broke through my thoughts, her tone panicked.
“Emily… your house… it’s burned down!”
