Chapter 13: Lucy's New Life
A year later...
Lucy stood in front of a classroom full of nurses.
Her daughter slept peacefully in her arms.
After everything happened, she had returned to the medical field.
But this time, she wasn't returning as the woman who needed approval.
She was returning as herself.
The experience changed her.
The elevator.
The betrayal.
The loneliness.
All of it.
It taught her something.
Saving people didn't always mean carrying them out of danger.
Sometimes saving yourself was the bravest thing you could do.
After the lecture ended, a young nurse approached her.
"Dr. Miller?"
Lucy smiled.
"I'm not a doctor."
The nurse smiled.
"Sorry. Former ER nurse."
Lucy laughed.
"That's better."
The nurse looked at Emma.
"Your daughter?"
Lucy nodded proudly.
"Yes."
"She's beautiful."
"Thank you."
The nurse hesitated.
"Can I ask something?"
"Sure."
"How did you get through everything?"
Lucy looked at her daughter.
Then smiled.
"One day at a time."
Later that afternoon, Lucy received a message.
From Alex.
She stared at the screen.
She hadn't blocked him.
But she hadn't invited him back either.
The message was simple.
I need to talk.
She didn't answer.
A second message arrived.
Please. Just once.
Lucy looked at Emma.
May you like
Then typed:
Tomorrow. Public place. One hour.
