Chapter 15 - A New Chapter BeginsTwo months later, the spring rains gave way to a brilliant, sun-drenched Chicago summer.
The municipal waterfront park project—the very design that Carter & Vance had fought tooth and nail to secure—was officially approved by the city council. It was scheduled to be the largest public architectural development in downtown Chicago in a decade.
Evelyn stood on the open-air observation deck of the construction site, wearing a crisp white hard hat and a tailored navy blazer, looking out over the sprawling green space taking shape along the lake.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
She pulled it out, expecting a message from Marcus regarding the engineering blueprints. Instead, it was an unfamiliar international number with a London area code.
Frowning slightly, Evelyn swiped to open the message.
Ms. Carter, the message read. I know past wounds cannot be easily erased, but I wanted to write to you as one professional to another. I am truly sorry for the part I played in the wreckage of your past. I hope you have found the peace and success you so richly deserve.
It was signed simply: V. Hart.
Evelyn stared at the screen for a long, quiet moment. The anger that once burned hot in her veins had completely vanished, replaced by a profound, unshakeable indifference.
She didn't reply. She simply selected the message, clicked Block Contact, and deleted it permanently.
May you like
She turned her gaze back toward the horizon. Below her, construction workers were laying down the foundation for a massive, modern glass pavilion, surrounded by newly planted winter-hardy trees whose branches stretched strong and green toward the open sky.
Her past was a closed book. Her future was entirely her own.
