Chapter 10 - Rebirth in Savannah
The Views From AboveOne year after that fateful rehearsal dinner.
The late afternoon sun was casting a golden glow over the cobblestone streets of historic Savannah.
The grand venue where I had fallen eleven feet onto a marble floor had been completely bought out for a special event. But it wasn't a wedding.
It was the Grand Re-Opening Gala of Winslow Heritage Design.
With the $1.2 million court-ordered restitution fully recovered from my parents' seized assets, I had expanded my company into the largest historic architectural restoration firm in the Coastal Empire. My team had completely restored the historic venue itself, replacing the old, slippery marble floors with beautiful, hand-carved slip-resistant hardwood and installing safety glass along the balconies.
Over two hundred guests—Savannah’s city leaders, historic preservationists, loyal clients, and true friends—filled the grand atrium, laughing and enjoying champagne.
I stood on the second-floor balcony—the exact same balcony where Taryn had tried to end my life.
I placed my hands firmly on the top of the new glass railing, looking down at the thriving crowd below. My back was completely healed, supported by strong titanium hardware and months of unyielding resilience. I felt no fear. Only absolute strength.
A pair of warm hands gently rested on my waist from behind.
I leaned back against Evan’s chest.
Over the past year, Evan had become my business partner and my deepest love. Together, we had built a life grounded in honesty, trust, and deep mutual respect—everything my birth family had lacked.
"What are you thinking about?" Evan whispered softly into my hair, holding me close.
I looked down at the glittering ballroom floor, where lights danced off the glass champagne flutes and happy music filled the air.
"I'm thinking about what Taryn said right before she pushed me," I said, a soft, victorious smile spreading across my lips.
Evan frowned slightly. "What did she say?"
"She said she was doing it 'for the views,'" I replied, looking out over the grand, beautifully restored hall that now belonged entirely to me.
May you like
I turned in Evan's arms, resting my hands against his crisp dress shirt, looking up into his loving eyes.
"And she was right about one thing," I smiled, wrapping my arms around his neck as he pulled me in for a kiss. "The view from up here is absolutely breathtaking."
