New Year’s Day, early morning

What a New Year’s Eve! I woke up, intending to resign as mayor of Westbury and ended the day committed to finishing my term and engaged to the love of my life!

John is the kindest man on earth. For the first time, my partner is putting my best interests ahead of his own. John never hesitated when we figured out that snake FH and my supposed friend, the distinguished Professor, were in cahoots to manipulate me into resigning. John supported my decision to stay on as mayor, knowing that I’d still be working long hours and our time together would be limited. It felt like we were of one mind, simultaneously reaching the conclusion that I should remain in office. I’ve never felt this sort of support.

His encouragement of what I wanted, in the face of his own disappointment, was enough to make the day perfect. But then to propose to me—to be willing to fully join his life with mine—was an abundance of riches.

My blood boils when I think that Frank and Upton were conspiring against me. How did those 2 end up working behind my back? I’ve always suspected I can’t trust F, but Upton? I was the one that brought him in to assist the town. Were there signs or hints that I missed along the way? I’ve replayed all of the committee meetings in my mind and can’t come up with anything. Now I wonder if that job offer was real or not. I’ll never know. I’ll have to be careful what I say to FH in the future. I don’t ever want him to know that I have his phone.

It’s all so new—both the sweetness of my engagement to John and the discovery of the betrayal at Town Hall—that I can’t take it all in. But one thing I do know: at the moment when all feels lost, God can turn the tide in an instant. As my mother always said: “Never discount the possibility of a happy future.”