Chapter 19 - The Foundation
Three Years Later.
The Sterling Foundation for Victims of Domestic Abuse opened its new ten-story facility in Midtown Manhattan on a sunny morning in October.
The building was built of white limestone and glass, its main lobby filled with sunlight, fresh white orchids, and warm amber lamps.
I stood on the podium outside the main entrance, cutting the red ribbon beside the Mayor of New York and the Chief of Police.
"This facility," I said into the microphone, my voice carrying clearly across the quiet crowd of reporters and city officials, "was built on a simple promise: that no woman in this city will ever have to suffer in silence while waiting for help."
The crowd applauded loudly as the ribbon fell to the granite steps.
Among the crowd standing on the sidewalk, holding a small notebook, was a young female reporter from the New York Times. She raised her hand, waiting for the applause to die down.
"Miss Sterling!" the reporter called out. "Is it true that this entire facility was funded by the liquidated assets of Apex Capital?"
May you like
I looked down at the reporter, a calm, serene smile touching my lips.
"Every single cent," I replied.
