Chapter 11 - The Woman Who Chose Herself|
Allison Romano moved into a small house near Lincoln Park.
It wasn't a mansion.
It didn't have marble floors or a private chef.
But it had large windows.
A sunny kitchen.
And a little garden she could tend herself.
The first time I visited, she was painting the front door blue.
I stopped on the sidewalk.
“Mrs. Romano?”
She turned.
Then laughed.
“Emily!”
I smiled.
“What are you doing?”
She looked toward the paintbrush in her hand.
“Making a terrible mess.”
I laughed.
“Would you like help?”
She grinned.
“Desperately.”
We spent the afternoon painting.
Talking.
Laughing.
And occasionally complaining about the paint getting into places it didn't belong.
It was strange seeing Allison this way.
At the engagement dinner, she'd worn an elegant navy dress and looked as though she might shatter.
Now she wore old jeans.
Paint-stained sneakers.
And no makeup.
She looked happier.
Not because the pain had disappeared.
But because she was finally doing things she wanted.
Afterward, we sat on the porch drinking lemonade.
Allison looked toward the blue door.
“Seventeen years.”
I turned.
“What?”
“I spent seventeen years making sure Adrian liked our home.”
Her voice softened.
“Every piece of furniture. Every dinner. Every holiday.”
I nodded.
“And now?”
She smiled.
“Now I can paint the door blue because I want it blue.”
I laughed softly.
“That's a good reason.”
She nodded.
“It is.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Allison looked toward me.
“Emily, can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you still work for Luca?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
She smiled faintly.
“And are you happy?”
I hesitated.
“Most days.”
She laughed.
“That's honest.”
I looked down.
“I've been thinking about doing something different.”
Her expression softened.
“What?”
“I don't know yet.”
I explained that Luca had invited me to help design an employee assistance program.
That I'd begun working with a professional coordinator.
That I enjoyed helping people navigate benefits and training opportunities.
Allison listened carefully.
Then smiled.
“You're good at that.”
I blinked.
“Am I?”
She nodded.
“You listened to me when I couldn't even explain what I needed.”
My throat tightened.
“That doesn't make me qualified.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“But it makes you willing to learn.”
I thought about that.
Then she said something that stayed with me.
“Emily, you don't have to spend the rest of your life proving you deserve the place you've already earned.”
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Allison reached for my hand.
“You were brave at dinner.”
I laughed softly.
“I was terrified.”
She smiled.
“Courage doesn't mean you're not afraid.”
Her voice softened.
“It means you do the right thing anyway.”
I nodded.
Then she looked toward her garden.
“I'm going back to school.”
I stared.
“Really?”
She grinned.
“Interior design.”
My eyes widened.
“Allison, that's wonderful.”
She laughed.
“I've spent years designing homes for charity events and friends.”
Her expression softened.
“I think I'd like to see whether I can make a career of it.”
I smiled.
“You should.”
She nodded.
“For the first time, I'm making plans that don't depend on Adrian.”
We sat quietly.
Then she turned toward me.
“And Emily?”
“Yes?”
“Promise me something.”
I smiled.
“What?”
“Whatever you choose next, make sure it's yours.”
My eyes filled.
“I promise.”
That evening, when I returned to the mansion, Luca was waiting in the library.
He looked up when I entered.
“Emily.”
I smiled.
“Hello, sir.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You know you can call me Luca.”
I laughed nervously.
“Old habits.”
He smiled.
“How's Allison?”
“Good.”
I paused.
“Really good.”
His expression softened.
“I'm glad.”
I told him about the blue door.
The design classes.
The little garden.
He listened.
Then nodded.
“She deserves a fresh start.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he looked toward a folder on his desk.
“Emily, I have something for you.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
He handed me a brochure.
A community college program.
Human services administration.
I stared.
He smiled.
“The employee assistance coordinator mentioned you were interested in professional training.”
My throat tightened.
“I am.”
He nodded.
“There's a scholarship program available to staff. Applications are reviewed independently.”
I looked up.
“You think I should apply?”
His expression softened.
“I think you should decide whether it's something you want.”
I smiled through tears.
For the first time, the future didn't feel like something I had to survive.
It felt like something I could build.
And when I looked toward Luca, I realized he was changing too.
The man who once believed power meant controlling every situation was learning how to support people without controlling their choices.
Neither of us knew what that would mean for our relationship.
May you like
Not yet.
But something new was beginning.
