CHAPTER 7: THE HEALING
I spent the next year healing.
The burns on my face and neck faded, leaving behind faint scars that I would carry forever. Every time I looked in the mirror, I remembered what Daniel had done to me.
But I also remembered what I had done to survive.
I started seeing a therapist. I started exercising. I started writing in a journal.
I started to feel like myself again.
I also started a new business.
It was a small coffee shop, ironically enough. I called it "The Warmth Within."
I poured everything I had into it. Every penny. Every ounce of energy. Every shred of hope.
And it worked.
Within six months, the coffee shop was thriving. I was making more money than I ever had with Daniel. I had a team of employees I loved. I had customers who appreciated me.
I was happy.
But I still felt like something was missing.
I still felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Then I met someone.
His name was James. He was a regular at the coffee shop. He came in every morning, ordered a black coffee, and sat in the corner reading.
One day, he asked me out.
May you like
I said yes.
It was the best decision I ever made.
