Chapter 20 - Rebuilding LoveAs the construction of the center began, I found myself opening my heart again.
I met Leo, a kind, gentle structural engineer who worked on the project with me. Unlike Diego, Leo did not raise his voice. He listened, he respected my independence, and he celebrated my success.
One evening, after a long day of work at the construction site, Leo and I sat on the balcony of my Capitol Hill condo, sharing a bottle of wine.
"You built something truly beautiful here, Valerie," Leo said, gesturing to the apartment. "But the most beautiful thing you built... was yourself."
May you like
I smiled, leaning against his shoulder.
"I didn't build it alone," I said, thinking of Natalie, Clara, and every person who had stood by me when the plates started breaking. "I had a lot of help."
