PART 4 — Three Months Later, They Finally Saw Us Again
Three months passed.
Chloe grew stronger.
Her laughter slowly returned.
Her doctors were amazed by how quickly she recovered once the constant stress disappeared.
One Saturday morning Jenna and Helen attended the grand reopening of a renovated apartment complex owned by Ashford.
The board wanted Jenna there.
She had personally approved adding a children's reading room and a free after-school tutoring program.
As families gathered, black SUVs pulled into the parking lot.
Linda.
Frank.
Megan.
Aiden.
They had come because Megan wanted to apply for one of the newly renovated apartments after falling behind on rent.
She walked confidently toward the leasing office.
Then froze.
Jenna stepped out beside the CEO.
Board members greeted her warmly.
Employees shook her hand.
Someone introduced her as,
"Our newest board director."
Linda's smile disappeared.
Frank actually stopped walking.
Megan blinked several times.
"No..."
she whispered.
The CEO noticed them.
"You know Ms. Carter?"
Linda forced a laugh.
"She's... she's our daughter."
The CEO smiled.
"Then you must be very proud."
Nobody answered.
Chloe came running across the courtyard.
"Mom!"
She wrapped her arms around Jenna before looking at Helen.
"Great-Grandma! Look! They planted flowers!"
Helen laughed.
"I saw."
Linda watched silently.
The little girl she had treated like an inconvenience now looked happier than she had ever seen her.
And not once...
Not once...
Did Chloe look afraid.
Linda quietly stepped forward.
"Jenna..."
Jenna turned politely.
"Hello, Mom."
Linda swallowed.
"We should talk."
Jenna smiled.
"I agree."
She glanced around the busy courtyard.
"But not here."
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For the first time in Linda's life...
She was the one waiting to be invited.
