Chapter 24
Life kept moving forward, and with each step, I felt stronger. The successes at work were only part of the story—the real victory was in how I felt about myself.
Daniel and I began talking about the future—not just days or months ahead, but years. It was a conversation I had avoided for so long, afraid of hope turning into disappointment.
One evening, he surprised me with a small, cozy dinner at his apartment. Soft music played, and the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air.
He looked across the table, eyes shining.
“Aurora, I want to build a life with you—a real family. Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be here.”
My heart fluttered, but I stayed calm. “I want that too. But let’s take our time.”
He nodded, understanding.
For the first time, I was excited about what the future might hold — not terrified.