FreeNovelIn the Littleton household, a rare moment of stillness had enveloped the family room, where they all gathered around Tyler, who
sat in his wheelchair. The tension hung thick in the air, so palpable that even young Amelia's eyes shimmered with a mixture of
hope and nerves.
Only Vivienne and Percival, standing off to the side, seemed to maintain their composure.
"Tyler," Vivienne encouraged with a calm voice, "try to stand up by leaning on the wheelchair."
Tyler's breath hitched. He looked into Vivienne's eyes, filled with a quiet confidence that seemed to say she knew the outcome
before it even happened. Her slight smile brought a sense of calm over Tyler, and he clenched his fists, taking a deep breath.
Kaitlyn stood with her back straight, her words held back, but her tightly clasped hands behind her betrayed her anxiety. Her in-
laws were on the brink of tears, their bodies shaking with emotion.
Amelia stepped forward and leaned against Tyler. "Daddy, you can do it."
With a solemn nod, Tyler gently pushed Amelia away and placed his hands on either side of the wheelchair, slowly beginning to
bear his weight on them.
"Oh my God!" Kaitlyn gasped, her hands covering her mouth as tears fell freely. She had never dared to hope for this moment—the
man who, unless carried to bed, was resigned to his wheelchair was now struggling to stand before her, not even when they came
across Vivienne!
Now, however, he was standing! Though he still wobbled, it was already more than she could've ever dreamed of!
Tyler was even more overwhelmed. "Am | really standing? Am | truly standing up?"
"Julian, do you see this? Our boy is standing! This is wonderful!" Sadie's wrinkled face was drenched in tears.
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Julian was equally emotional, his voice breaking, "I see it! | do! Thank you, Ms. Hawthorn. Without you, we'd still be lost. You're a
godsend to our family. | need to thank you properly..."
Before he could kneel, Vivienne quickly steadied him. "Please, Julian, there's no need for that. Kaitlyn has been a great help to me;
this is the least | can do."
Percival joined in, helping Sadie back to her feet. "No need for that, Sadie."
"Mom, Dad, please don't. If anyone should be kneeling, it's me. Thank you, Vivienne," Kaitlyn finally managed to say, pulling her
parents-in-law back to their feet and attempting to kneel herself.
Vivienne, exasperated yet gentle, stopped her. "Kaitlyn, are you trying to take years off my life?"
"I didn't mean to..." Kaitlyn began.
Vivienne cut her off. "We don't need formalities between us. | just happened to have the medical expertise. Besides, you've given
Kaitlyn, wanting to express more gratitude but respecting Vivienne's wishes, conceded. "Alright then, no more formalities. If there's
ever anything | can do for you, you have my word."
Vivienne smiled in agreement.
Percival handed Tyler a pair of crutches they had prepared. "Your legs have suffered from muscle atrophy due to the long period of
inactivity. Standing is just the first step; a long and challenging rehabilitation journey lies ahead."
Vivienne added, "The upcoming medicine will need assistance. Kaitlyn, you have your job, and the elders might find it tough. Let
Kaitlyn shook her head. "No need, Ms. Hawthorn. You've done so much already. | can manage. I've learned a bit about medicine
myself over the years to help Tyler with his condition."
Vivienne didn't insist. "Alright, it's your decision."
Then, as if struck by a thought, she asked, "I heard from Cordelia that you studied business management?"
"Yes," Kaitlyn nodded, "but it's been years since I've worked in that field. I've been so focused on Tyler's treatment that | forgot to
thank you and your family properly. Now that Tyler can stand, it calls for a celebration. I'd like to invite you and the Brooks to
dinner."
Kaitlyn knew Vivienne wasn't Dorian and Cordelia's biological daughter but was rather adopted. She had always thought highly of
the couple, and now more than ever, given how well they raised Vivienne.
Vivienne replied, "I've been quite busy lately and might not make it to dinner. But Dorian and Cordelia should be available.
Speaking of which, Dorian would like you to join his company to manage the sales team."
Kaitlyn was taken aback. "The Hawthorn family's perfcompany? But they're doing so well. Surely their management team is
solid?"
"Dorian currently oversees the team, but he’s stretched thin and wants to spend more twith the family. With you there, he
could finally take a break," Vivienne explained, her tone serious. "The salary is fifty thousand a month, plus a year-end bonus."
After a pause, she added, "It may not compare to the Littleton family's past fortunes, but it's up to you."
The prospect of returning to the business world was unexpected, but as Kaitlyn looked at Tyler standing tall with the help of his
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crutches, the future seemed full of new possibilities.
"Absolutely, yes!" Kaitlyn blurted out without a second thought. "Why wouldn't | want to jump at such an amazing opportunity? The
Hawthorn family's perfcompany has already made a nfor itself in Rivenwood. It won't be long before they go public, and
with such a generous package on the table, I'm more than eager to get on board."
Before she'd even met Vivienne, Kaitlyn had cacross a job posting by Dorian's company and felt her heart leap with interest.
But the daunting shadow of the Abernathy family loomed large in her mind. She feared that, like so many others, Dorian would
simply toss her resaside the moment they caught a whiff of her background.
Back then, she allowed herself to dream but never dared to hope. Now, with the opportunity laid out before her, why wouldn't she
seize it?
These days, they had nothing to fear from Victoria. Her husband was on his feet again, and life was trending upwards. She could
earn a handssalary, and with a little elbow grease, she might even climb the ladder to a management position. Everything
was looking up, and she was full of longing for the life that lay ahead.
Seeing her agreement, Vivienne nodded. "Alright, I'll have a word with Dorian. I've got to run; I've got other business to attend to."
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