Chapter 9 - A New Dawn in Geneva
Six months later.
The crisp alpine air of Geneva, Switzerland, carried the faint scent of pine and melting snow. The sun was rising over Lake Geneva, casting a brilliant golden glow across the manicured lawns of our new home—a modest, beautiful stone chalet surrounded by wildflowers and tall green trees. There were no bulletproof fences, no armed guards at the gate, and no shadows lurking in the corners.
Just peace.
I stood on the wide wooden balcony, wearing a simple cashmere sweater, holding a steaming mug of coffee. Down in the garden, Ruby—now seven years old and bursting with energy—was running across the grass, laughing as she chased a golden retriever puppy we had finally adopted for her.
Tessa stepped out onto the balcony behind me, wrapped in a knitted shawl. She rested her hands gently around my waist, leaning her head against my back.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mr. Voss," she murmured softly.
I turned around, wrapping my arms around her and resting my chin on her chestnut hair.
"I was just thinking about how a stray little girl selling cookies on Skid Row changed the entire course of my life," I whispered, smiling down at her.
Tessa looked up, her gray eyes shining with happiness. "You know, if you hadn't stopped that night, we might have lived separate lives forever."
"I was looking for business," I replied, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "Instead, I found my entire world."
From the garden below, Ruby's bright voice rang out across the quiet morning air.
"Mom! Dad! Come on! Breakfast is ready!"
May you like
Tessa laughed, pulling away gently. "Come on, former mafia boss. Your daughter is waiting."
I took Tessa's hand, lacing my fingers through hers, and we walked down the wooden steps together into the bright, beautiful sunshine of a future I never knew I deserved.
