Chapter 9 - A New Dawn

Dominic straightened his posture, walking over to the tall window to look out over the immaculate estate gardens where the morning sun was finally breaking through the clouds.
"In my line of work, Linda, I spend every waking hour surrounding myself with people who look at me with fear, greed, or deceit," Dominic said, turning back to face her with a faint, rare ghost of a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "For fourteen months, you walked through my home carrying the heaviest burden in this city, and you never once asked for a handout, never compromised my trust, and never stopped fighting for what mattered most."
He walked back over, stopping just a few feet away from her, and gently placed a hand on the handle of her cleaning cart, pushing it away from her so she could finally lower her hands.
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"You're a fierce protector, Linda. And in my world, loyalty and resilience are the most valuable currencies of all," Dominic continued, his tone softening entirely. "You're no longer working as a maid on this estate. Effective immediately, you're taking an extended paid leave to be with your son. Your salary remains untouched, your housing is secured, and any medical expense Leo ever incurs from this day forward is taken care of by me."
Linda sank slowly to her knees, not out of fear or resignation this time, but from sheer, overwhelming relief. She pressed her forehead against the edge of the heavy mahogany desk, her shoulders shaking with tears of profound joy. "Thank you... oh, God, thank you, Mr. Gallow..."