Chapter 10 - Healing and New BeginningsThree months later, the cherry blossoms were in full bloom outside the newly renovated headquarters of Hale Industries—now officially renamed Eleanor & Ethan Tech.
The company had undergone a massive restructuring. Christopher was awaiting trial behind bars, his assets frozen, while Mrs. Albright had taken over as the temporary chairperson, supporting Ethan as the new CEO.
I stood in the lobby, looking at a beautiful portrait of Eleanor Hale that now hung near the entrance. I was no longer wearing a waitress uniform, nor was I wearing a borrowed pantsuit. I wore a beautiful cream-colored dress, a permanent smile on my face.
My phone buzzed. It was a video call from my aunt.
I swiped the screen, and the face of my six-year-old brother, Leo, appeared. He was sitting in a bright, beautiful new classroom at the best speech rehabilitation center in the country, fully funded by Ethan’s new foundation.
“Hi, Mary!” Leo signed happily, his little fingers moving with joy. Then, he opened his mouth, his voice small but clear. “I... love... you.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I love you too, Leo,” I signed and spoke back.
A warm hand slipped into mine. I looked up to see Ethan standing beside me. He looked happy, the shadows of his past completely gone from his eyes.
He looked at the screen and signed to Leo: Keep practicing, little buddy. I’m coming to visit this weekend.
Leo giggled and waved goodbye before hanging up.
Ethan turned to me, his eyes soft and filled with a deep, quiet affection. He raised his hands, signing to me the words that had changed both of our lives forever.
You saved me, Mary. You gave me my voice.
I squeezed his hand, my heart fuller than it had ever been.
May you like
We saved each other, Ethan, I signed back.
We walked out of the lobby together, stepping into the warm afternoon sun, ready to build a world where no one would ever have to suffer in silence again.
