Chapter 13: The Unspoken Bond
Evening settled over the town, casting a golden light across the diner's polished chrome interior. Sarah was setting out fresh apple pie on the counter as Victoria entered, the bell above the door chiming softly.
Victoria sat at her usual stool near the window. "I'll take two coffees, Sarah."
"Coming right up," Sarah replied, filling two heavy ceramic mugs. She handed one to Victoria and leaned against the counter. "I saw Julian down at the site today. Carrying lumber with the rest of them. If you told me six months ago I'd see a billionaire in work boots in this town, I'd have called you crazy."
"People change when they finally have something worth changing for," Victoria said softly, holding the warm mug between her hands.
May you like
"And you?" Sarah asked gently. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
Victoria looked out the window at the quiet street. "I thought I wanted justice, Sarah. But justice alone is just an balance sheet. What we built here... this is healing."
