Chapter 10 - A NEW BEGINNING
Six months after Martha’s sentencing, life had settled into a beautiful, peaceful rhythm.
With Martha’s shadow completely gone, Nick and I focused on our future. Using a modest loan from Nick’s savings and my parents' guidance, we purchased a charming brick building in downtown Oak Park.
On the ground floor, we opened "The Braid & Bloom"—a unique combination of my family’s floral design shop and a high-end hair styling salon run in partnership with Sarah and Marcus, the stylist who had saved my hair on my wedding night.
The shop was a massive success from the day it opened.
The interior was filled with lush greenery, hanging terrariums, soft velvet chairs, and the sweet scent of fresh roses and eucalyptus. Women from all over the suburb came not just for flowers or hair styling, but for the warm, empowering atmosphere we built.
One sunny Saturday afternoon in May, I was standing behind the counter wrapping a bouquet of white peonies and eucalyptus for a customer.
My short pixie cut had grown out into a chic, shoulder-length bob that swung gently as I moved. I felt stronger, healthier, and happier than I ever had in my life.
The bell above the shop door chimed, and Nick walked inside.
He was wearing a casual denim jacket, carrying two iced coffees from the local cafe down the street. He set one coffee on the counter, leaning over to kiss my forehead.
“How’s my favorite florist doing?” Nick smiled.
“Exhausted, but happy,” I replied, taking a sip of the cold coffee. “We sold out of white roses twice today.”
Nick walked behind the counter, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and resting his chin on my shoulder. “I have news from the attorney.”
I turned slightly in his arms. “What news?”
“The bank finalized the mortgage approval for the cottage on Lake Geneva,” Nick whispered, his eyes shining with excitement. “We get the keys on Friday.”
May you like
I gasped, throwing my arms around his neck. “Oh, Nick! The lake house?”
“The lake house,” he nodded, laughing as he lifted me off my feet for a brief second. “No city noise, no drama, no toxic family. Just us, the lake, and our garden.”
