Part 20
Two years passed like a beautiful, calm river.
Lily grew taller, her cheeks rosy from the coastal air, her laughter a constant melody in our home.
She was thriving in her new school, making friends, and taking ballet lessons.
I had started my own boutique interior design firm, utilizing the creative talents I had suppressed for so long during my marriage.
Without the suffocating weight of the Vance family, my business flourished rapidly.
One afternoon, while attending a design convention in the city, I ran into an old acquaintance from my past life.
It was Sarah, one of the women who used to attend Evelyn’s charity galas.
When she saw me, her eyes went wide, and she looked almost nervous to approach.
"Elena? Is that really you?" she asked, looking over my tailored cream pantsuit and the confident smile on my face.
"Hello, Sarah," I said politely, offering a warm hand.
"Oh my goodness, you look absolutely stunning!" she gushed, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
"We all saw what happened. It was the scandal of the decade. Everyone was talking about how Jason and his mother completely collapsed."
I simply smiled, keeping my composure. "I wouldn't know. I don't keep up with them."
"Well, Jason’s appeal was denied last month," Sarah whispered, eager to share the gossip.
"He’s still in that maximum-security facility. And Evelyn... someone saw her working at a local grocery store registrar just to make ends meet. It’s a total fall from grace."
She looked at me, searching for a hint of malice, satisfaction, or regret.
But she found nothing.
"I wish them the peace they deserve," I said smoothly, checking my watch.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, Sarah, I have a business meeting to attend."
Walking away from her felt like stepping over a tiny puddle.
Their misery didn't fuel me anymore.
My success did.
May you like
Their downfall was just a natural consequence of their actions, a math equation that finally balanced itself out.
I didn't need to gloat over their ruin because I was too busy living my beautiful reality.
