Chapter 13 - A New Chapter in Real Estate
With the corporate restructuring of Vance-Carter Properties complete, Uncle Arthur and I threw ourselves into revitalizing historical commercial spaces across downtown Columbus.
Our first major project—converting an abandoned 1920s warehouse district into a thriving artisan market and loft community—was featured in the Columbus Dispatch business section on a sunny Friday morning.
The headline read: “Vance-Carter Properties Breathes New Life Into Historic Warehouse District.”
Daniel brought the newspaper home along with a bouquet of fresh yellow tulips, laying them out on our kitchen island while I poured us both fresh coffee.
"Look at you," Daniel beamed, wrapping his arms around me from behind and kissing my cheek. "Front page of the business section. Your grandmother would have been so proud."
"Uncle Arthur did most of the heavy lifting," I smiled, turning around in his arms to lean against the counter. "I just sign the architectural approvals."
"Don't sell yourself short," Daniel laughed softly. "You’ve turned a family betrayal into a real estate empire. That takes serious steel."
My phone buzzed on the counter—a private text message from an unsaved number.
“Please, Emily. Just five minutes. Your father’s heart isn't strong. He’s asking for you.”
I stared at the screen for a long, silent beat. The sender was Susan.
Daniel noticed the shift in my expression, his hands tightening reassuringly on my waist. "Do you want to go?" he asked quietly. "I can drive you. You don't have to go inside if you don't want to."
May you like
I looked out the window at the bright morning sun streaming through our kitchen. The anger that had burned so hot six months ago had finally cooled into something much healthier: peace.
"No, Daniel," I said softly, setting my phone face down on the counter. "I’m not going back there. My life is right here."
