Chapter 20 - In the Black
By Saturday evening, the house was filled with the quiet, effortless grace of a life running in perfect alignment.
I stood in the kitchen, preparing a simple, wonderful dinner while soft instrumental music played on the radio. Lily sat at the table, drawing pictures of our weekend adventures in her notebook.
As the autumn moon rose high and bright over Elm Street, I walked over to the kitchen window, holding a glass of sparkling water.
I looked out across the quiet street, watching the amber glow of the streetlights dance against the evening breeze.
My past had been audited, my accounts had been scrubbed of fraudulent liabilities, and my career was soaring on the strength of real, honest competence. Every single line item in my life now belonged to me—accounted for, verified, and firmly in the black.
I raised my glass toward the quiet, beautiful, perfectly balanced room.
May you like
“To new beginnings, baby,” I whispered softly, smiling down at Lily as she looked up with a bright, answering grin.
The audit was officially over. And every single door ahead of me was wide open, with every key safely in my own hand.
