Chapter 6 - A New Chapter for East Harbor
Six months later, the municipal library board held its annual spring gala at the Commonwealth Athenaeum.
The ballroom was packed with city officials, local donors, and eighty-two adult literacy students who had successfully completed their spring reading modules.
At the front of the stage, standing beside the podium, was Nora Bennett—now the executive director of the East Harbor Literacy Foundation, wearing an emerald-green silk dress that she had bought entirely with her own paycheck.
Seated in the front row, wearing a tailored charcoal suit and clapping louder than anyone else in the room, was Julian Cross.
When Nora stepped up to the microphone, the room quieted instantly. She looked out over the crowd, spotting Tessa smiling near the dessert table with two miniature cheesecakes in hand, and then met Julian’s gray eyes in the front row.
“A few months ago,” Nora began, her voice ringing clear and confident through the hall, “someone asked me how much my life was worth. At the time, I thought the answer was eighty-three dollars and a failing alternator.”
A wave of warm laughter rippled through the audience.
“I was wrong,” Nora continued, smiling down at Julian. “Some things—and some people—are entirely priceless. But if you ever happen to attend a charity auction… make sure you keep your hands firmly in your pockets, unless you’re ready to buy a future.”
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As thunderous applause filled the ballroom, Julian stood up, walked to the base of the stage, and held out his hand.
Nora didn't hesitate. She stepped down from the podium, took his hand, and let the billionaire lead her out of the ballroom and into a future they had written together, word by beautiful word.
