One morning at breakfast, Michael realized he was actually enjoying his coffee. He listened to Leo talk about their “dance tournament” from the day before. Natalie was laughing, trying to hide her face behind her hands as Leo described her “terrible” dance moves. It was the most normal Michael had felt in years.
“Dad, you should dance with us,” Leo said suddenly. Michael froze, his mind racing through a dozen excuses. He was a businessman, not a dancer. But Natalie stood up and held out her hand, a playful challenge in her eyes.
“I bet you’ve got some rhythm hidden somewhere, Mr. Sterling,” she said. He laughed, a bit sheepishly, and stood up. “If I step on your toes, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He took her hand, and for a moment, the air between them changed. It was no longer about a boss and an employee; it was about two people.
They moved awkwardly at first, but Leo cheered them on, and soon they were all laughing. The marble floors and high ceilings didn’t feel so cold anymore. The next day, Michael did something he hadn’t done in a long time. He called his lawyer and started the paperwork for a new foundation—one dedicated to dance and movement therapy for kids with disabilities.
He wanted Natalie to run it. He wanted her to have the resources to help other kids the way she had helped Leo. When he told her the plan, she was stunned. “I… I don’t have a degree for that, Michael. I’m just a girl who likes to dance.”
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