Chapter 5 - The Open Road
The rain had cleared by late afternoon, leaving the Boston streets gleaming under a pale, washed-gold sunset.
I stood on the front steps of my new apartment—a sunlit, high-ceilinged loft overlooking the public gardens, purchased entirely with my own name on the deed. Through the open window, soft jazz music drifted out, mixing with the crisp, clean scent of autumn air.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and looked at the screen.
An email notification from the bank: Transfer complete. Account verified.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket, walked over to the kitchen island, and poured myself a glass of crisp white wine. No one was rushing me. No one was demanding I cancel plans for their convenience. No one was texting a mistress behind my back while pretending to care about our future.
The front door unlocked, and Natalie walked in carrying two takeout bags from our favorite Italian restaurant, laughing loudly about a text she had received.
"Guess who just tried to friend me on LinkedIn?" Natalie announced, kicking off her shoes. "Julian Vance! Well, not Julian, but someone trying to dig up dirt on your settlement!"
I laughed, a rich, genuine sound that bounced off the high walls of my new home. "Block him."
"Way ahead of you," Natalie grinned, setting the food on the counter. She raised her glass of wine toward mine. "To new beginnings, Rachel. May we never settle for a discount version of happiness again."
May you like
I touched my glass to hers, the crystal ringing out clear and bright in the evening air.
"To choices," I smiled. "And knowing our own worth."
