Chapter 14 - The Foundation of Stone
Back in Chicago, the sun was setting over the city skyline, casting a warm, orange glow across the waters of Lake Michigan.
Nathan and Clara stood on the balcony of their private suite at the estate, holding glasses of sparkling water, watching Lily play with a young golden retriever on the lawn below.
"Arthur dropped off the final reports from the foundation this morning," Clara said softly, resting her head on Nathan’s shoulder. "We're opening three new shelters in Detroit and St. Louis next month."
"I'm proud of you, Clara," Nathan said, kissing her forehead. "You turned the worst night of your life into something that saves hundreds of people every day."
Clara looked down at her hands—the same hands that had been raw from cleaning bleach, the same hands that had shielded her child from an oak stick on a cold marble floor.
"We can't choose where our stories start, Nathan," Clara said softly, looking out at the setting sun. "But we can choose how we build the foundation."
"And what is our foundation made of?" Nathan asked, smiling down at her.
May you like
Clara looked up into his eyes, her green gaze clear, strong, and unbroken.
"Truth," she whispered. "Just truth."
