Page 90 of Buttons

The statement makes warmth unfurl in my chest. Finally, Julian starts the car.

“Home?” he asks, though he’s already shifting the car intogear.

I nod, watching his profile in the dashboard’s soft glow. “Yes, but how do you feel about finding a new home?”

“Outside of Seattle?”

“No, I love this city. I more so mean finding a new house for our family. My apartment is nice, but you’re not in it, and I don’t think I could go back to the house I left behind.”

Julian agrees. “We can call a realtor tomorrow. Involve Meredith and Leo; let them help decide.” He’s saying it like a list while including us. There’s no more him giving the final say.

Inspired, I say, “The deal with Robert Thompson didn’t go through, but that doesn’t mean we should give up. Our new place can be an example of that luxury sustainable living you were thinking about.”

As we pull onto the main road, Julian reaches across the center console to take my hand. I squeeze back, matching his pressure with my own. Buttons Sanctuary Academy is opening ‌tomorrow, and my life has never felt more like mine.

Chapter 39

Elowen

It’s finally opening day. I stand behind the makeshift curtain, listening to the murmur of the crowd growing outside the sanctuary.Mysanctuary. The words still feel strange. Eight months ago, I was Mrs. Julian Plaza, corporate wife, straightening her hair and dimming her light. Now I’m about to step onto a podium as Elowen Plaza, Executive Director of Buttons Sanctuary Academy, my unruly curls framing my face exactly as nature intended.

The morning sun slants through gaps in the fabric, painting stripes across my navy blazer. “Three minutes,” Beatrix says, appearing at my elbow. “Decent turnout. Better than expected.”

I peek through the curtain gap and feel my breath catch. “Decent” doesn’t begin to cover it. At least two hundred people fill the chairs we rented, with more standing around the perimeter. The local news van is parked prominently, itsreporter checking her makeup in a compact mirror. Mayor Rodriguz stands at the podium, looking important in that way of career politicians.

“Leo and Meredith are in the front row,” I tell Beatrix, spotting my children sitting primly in their Sunday best. Leo’s spine is ramrod straight, hands folded in his lap. Meredith bounces slightly in her seat, her excitement physically impossible to contain. Julian sits beside them, a solid, supportive presence. The outfit is the same, though the man inside isn’t.

“You ready?” Beatrix asks, her voice gruff with something that might be emotion.

“No,” I answer honestly, then smile. “But I’m going, anyway.”

She nods approvingly.

Mayor Rodriguz’s voice booms through the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the woman whose vision and dedication have transformed this abandoned property into a beacon of hope for our community’s most vulnerable animals. Please welcome the Executive Director of Buttons Sanctuary Academy, Elowen Plaza.”

The applause hits me as I step from behind the curtain, and my heels click across the temporary stage. This isn’t just my dream realized; it’s proof that second chances aren’t just for cats.

Taking my place behind the podium, I lower the microphone. The faces in the crowd blur momentarily before snapping into focus. My children, beaming with pride. Julian’s expression is of admiration. Sarah gives me an enthusiastic thumbs-up from the third row. Even Trey flew in to support me. He apologized for blurting the truth, but it was never about him; it was about Julian. Trey stands next to Sarah, who side-eyes him and tries to step away. Only she bumps into Connor, who stands with his arms crossed. With nowhere to go, she falls back into Trey. When all three of them catch me staring, they smile. Scattered throughout, dozens of volunteers who’ve given countless hoursto make this day possible. Mom made it, too. She waves when we lock eyes.

“Thank you, Mayor Rodriguz, and thank you all for coming today,” I begin. “Eight months ago, this property was abandoned. Today, it stands as Buttons Sanctuary Academy, which is a safe haven for stray and abandoned cats, and a resource center for our community.

“Buttons Sanctuary Academy will focus on three primary missions,” I continue, hitting my stride now. “First, rescuing and rehabilitating stray cats, with special attention to those considered ‘difficult or special cases.’ Second, facilitating adoptions to create forever bonds between animals and humans who need each other. And third, providing education to our community about responsible pet ownership and the importance of spay and neuter programs.”

As I outline the specific programs—the children’s reading program, the senior volunteer initiative, the partnership with local schools—I watch faces in the crowd light up with recognition. These aren’t my ideas; they belong to all of us.

“Mrs. Plaza,” calls a voice I recognize as Lila’s, the local lifestyle columnist known for asking pointed questions. “You were previously an executive assistant at Plaza Investments. What qualified you to suddenly lead an animal sanctuary?”

The question hangs, its subtext clear to everyone. My cheeks warm, but I feel nothing but determination. I meet Lila’s gaze directly.

“Compassion does not require a qualification. I simply used my experience from Plaza Investments, donated my time to Seattle King County Animal Shelter, noted a need, put in a bit of hard work, research, and used my connections for good. The community did the rest. Connor, whom I want to acknowledge right there in the crowd, is a handyman for SKCAS, and was instrumental in using his own connections to work tirelesslyat bringing this shelter safe enough for our lovely cats. Sarah, sitting right over in the third row, has volunteered at SKCAS for years, despite working as a full-time teacher. She was kind enough to help and direct other newer volunteers to get this place up and running. And my mentor, Beatrix”—I start to point but she quickly shakes her head, so I drop my hand—“has successfully run SKCAS despite their budget limitations. She trusted me enough to guide me and then let me loose. Nothing was done all by myself. I know well enough to lean on support when I need it.”

Lila’s brows rise slightly, but she nods, scribbling something in her notebook.

Mayor Rodriguz steps forward with ceremonial scissors, clearly eager to reclaim control of the program. “And now, the moment we’ve been waiting for. Mrs. Plaza, would you do the honors?”

The oversized scissors feel awkward in my hands, but the ribbon stretching across the entrance looks perfect. It’s bright blue against the freshly painted building. I position the blades, conscious of the cameras recording this moment.

“To second chances,” I say clearly, then cut with one decisive motion.