Chapter 18: The Pride
Two years later, the Leonis Foundation was not just a concept; it was a formidable reality. Operating out of a sleek, secure building in the city center, the foundation had already provided emergency extraction, housing, and legal counsel to over three hundred women.
Vivian sat in her brightly lit office, reviewing a legal brief, when her assistant gently knocked on the open door.
"Ms. Vance? We have a walk-in," the assistant said softly. "She's twenty-two, pregnant, and she’s terrified. Her partner is financially abusive and has locked her out of all their accounts. She has nowhere to go."
Vivian immediately put her pen down. The familiar ache of empathy settled in her chest, but it was quickly overpowered by a fierce, protective drive. "Bring her in."
A young woman, trembling and clutching a worn canvas tote bag, tentatively stepped into the office. She looked exhausted, her eyes darting around the room as if expecting to be scolded. Vivian stood up, bypassing her large desk entirely, and guided the young woman to a comfortable, plush sofa in the corner of the room.
"My name is Vivian," she said, her voice a calm, steady anchor in the room. She poured a glass of water and handed it to the girl. "You are entirely safe here. He cannot reach you. Our legal team is already filing the necessary protective orders, and we have a secure apartment waiting for you tonight."
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The young woman burst into tears, the heavy burden of survival finally lifting off her shoulders. "Why are you doing this for me? You don't even know me."
Vivian handed her a tissue, offering a gentle, knowing smile. "Because someone once did it for me. And now, it's my turn to make sure you and your baby have a pride standing behind you."
