Chapter 9 - The Life Victor Couldn't TakeTwo years passed.
Alexander grew into a joyful little boy.
He loved airplanes.
He loved snow.
And he loved his grandfather.
Adrian became the father figure he had never been allowed to be.
I returned to work.
I started a foundation for women escaping financial abuse.
We helped hundreds of women.
Some arrived with nothing.
Some were carrying children.
Some believed they had nowhere to go.
I understood them.
Because I had once been one of them.
At the foundation's first annual gala, I stood before hundreds of people.
“I used to think surviving meant simply staying alive.”
The room became quiet.
“But survival is only the beginning.”
I looked at Alexander.
“After you survive, you have to learn how to live again.”
People applauded.
I smiled.
Then Adrian joined me on stage.
He placed his hand on my shoulder.
“My daughter,” he said proudly.
I smiled.
The word still warmed me.
Daughter.
For years, I had thought I had no family.
Then I discovered I had one.
Not the family I was born into.
The family I chose.
That night, Alexander ran toward me.
“Mommy!”
I picked him up.
He wrapped his arms around my neck.
I kissed his cheek.
“You're my miracle.”
He laughed.
“No, Mommy.”
“What?”
“Grandpa says I'm your little warrior.”
May you like
I smiled.
“You are.”
