“You proved yourself long before you met me, Clara. Congratulations.”
She saved the message.
Then she put her phone down and went to pick up her daughter.
For the first time since Lily was born, Clara could look ahead to the next month without wondering whether she would have enough money to buy food.
She could begin planning instead of merely surviving.
And she could finally stop apologizing for needing help.
Chapter Six: Six Months Later
Six months after that New Year’s Eve, the morning sun streamed through the windows of Clara’s new apartment in Brooklyn.
The apartment wasn’t a mansion, and it wasn’t the sort of extravagant property featured in luxury magazines.
But it was warm.
The windows closed properly. The kitchen cupboards were stocked with groceries. The rent was manageable on her salary, and the living room had enough space for Lily to crawl around without bumping into furniture.
