Chapter 60

Amy went home after breakfast. I missed her as soon as she went out the door. After watching her drive away, I wandered around the mansion, looking for something to do.

Due to a staff development day, there was no school, and there were no more dance lessons with Victor to fill my afternoon.

The music room didn’t hold much interest for me since I played no instruments, and the gaming room wasn’t much fun alone. I was bored within an hour.

Next, I went to the ballroom and listened to my footsteps echo through the ginormous empty room.

I stopped near the fireplace and studied my parents' portrait for several moments before I blew my mother a kiss. My father said she chose every detail of the room, and this was the place I felt the most connected to her.

Alex told me that she loved to dance and often came to this room alone to practice. So I tried it.

Envisioning myself dancing with Victor, I waltzed around the dance floor, my arms raised as if I were holding onto an invisible partner.

It wasn’t as much fun as dancing with Victor, but I enjoyed myself until I saw myself in a mirror and felt a little silly.

But I stayed for several more minutes. I loved the ballroom. There were already some great memories here for me.

Would it feel the same when it was full of strangers tomorrow night?

With a sigh, I left the room and went to the living room to watch television. After flipping through the channels for a while, Benson found me and announced it was time for lunch.

After lunch, I decided to read and went upstairs to the library.

I was re-reading a book about the Omega uprising of 1689 when Jennifer rushed into the library to tell me Gisele had delivered my ball gown and another pair of golden high heels.

“I’m going to unpack your gown and let it hang in your room,” she said. “I want to inspect it for any tears or imperfections while there is still time for them to be mended.”

“Wait for me,” I said. Eager to see my gown again, I hurried after her.

The gown was as beautiful as I remembered. The cinnamon-colored silk seemed to glow with its own light.

“Gisele does marvelous work,” Jennifer commented as she inspected the dress. “I can’t find any flaws.”

I gently touched the full silk skirt of the gown. “It looks perfect to me.”

Jennifer nodded her agreement. “I want you to try it on now. We’ll assemble your whole look to ensure we haven’t forgotten anything. I don’t want any last-minute problems tomorrow night.”

“I’m all sweaty from dancing in the ballroom,” I told her. “I’ll shower, and then you can help me put on the gown.”

I was afraid if I tried to get into the dress myself, I’d tear it. Plus, the zipper was in the back.

After a shower, Jennifer requested I put my contacts in before she helped me into the beautiful gown. Wearing the spectacular silk creation made me feel beautiful.

Then I put on the jewelry Victor had chosen, and Jennifer applied makeup to my face precisely as the makeup artist had done. The effect was as good as the previous day.

I slipped my feet into the new pair of golden high heels and twirled in front of the mirror.

“Wow! Who are you?” I said to my image in the glass.

“You are my beautiful daughter,” Alex said as he entered my room. “You look so much like your mother.” He let out a single low sob.

“I’m sorry if it makes you sad,” I said and put my arms around him.

Alex returned my embrace. “I’ll always be sad that I lost your mother, but your presence in my life is now my greatest joy.”

“I’m so glad I’m with you again,” I told him. “You are the father I always dreamed of having. Tell me more about my mother?”

Alex kissed my forehead. “Her eyes were the same emerald green as yours. She loved to read and study history. She was passionate about ballroom dancing, and she started The Wilson Foundation.”

“What’s the Wilson Foundation?” I asked.

“It’s the charity your mother set up before we were married,” Alex explained. “Joanna placed most of her dowry into a trust for it. I contribute a few million every year to keep it going.”

“That’s fantastic!” I cried. “Nobody ever told me my mother was a philanthropist.”

“Joanna enjoyed helping people, no matter their status,” Alex said, wearing a dreamy smile. “I believe you inherited this trait from her.”

“I want to hear more about this charity,” I said. “Can I help in some way?”

Alex nodded and started for the hallway. “After you remove that lovely gown, come into my study. I will tell you all about it, my darling girl.

After Jennifer was satisfied, she helped me remove the gown, and I changed back into my jeans and a T-shirt. Then I hurried downstairs to Alex‘s study.

I sat in a club chair next to Alex. “Please tell me all about the Wilson Foundation. Who does it help?”

Alex smiled and squeezed my hand. “Your mother believed an educated society was better for everyone. The foundation provides scholarships for promising Beta and Omega students.”

I let out a squeal of joy. “That’s fantastic!”

“The foundation also helps many poor families with housing and medical assistance,” Alex added.

“Joanna started this leg of the foundation when she was made aware of a young Beta girl who desperately needed an operation to save her life, but the girl’s parents couldn’t afford it.”

“My mother must have been a special person,” I said.

My father leaned over and kissed my forehead. “She was. Just like her daughter.”

“And you put money into the foundation every year?” I asked.

“Yes,” my father replied. “Do you remember me telling you it takes money to make money, and it takes money to help people?”

I nodded.

“The Wilson family is known for its philanthropy and generosity. Don’t ever feel guilty for having a good life now that you know who you are.”

“But I’d love to have a part in the foundation,” I said.

“Since you’re going to be eighteen tomorrow, I agree it’s time for you to be involved,” Alex agreed. “Enjoy your birthday, and we’ll talk more about it after the ball.”

“Thank you for everything,” I said. “I feel so happy at this moment that I could burst with joy.”

“Your joy brings me joy, my darling.” He stood and hugged me.“I asked Benson to have the cook prepare a special meal for us this evening. We will celebrate your birthday early with just us.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said. “I’ll go upstairs and put on something nice.”

After the special meal and a delicious birthday cake, Alex reminded me that I needed my sleep for the ball tomorrow.

So I went upstairs to my bed and lay down. But sleep didn’t come for many hours as my mind digested what I had learned about my mother, and I fought my excitement over the ball.

When I finally fell asleep, I dreamed about being in the ballroom dancing with Victor.