My mother shoved me and my five-year-old daughter off my sister’s engagement yacht like we were trash that had stained the view.

Ten years later.

The sun was setting over the hills, painting the sky in brilliant shades of violet, gold, and deep orange. It was the exact color of the sky on the night of the harbor, fifteen years ago.

But tonight, the violet sky did not bring fear.

We stood on the grand lawn of the Vance Estate, celebrating Ellie’s twentieth birthday. She was a beautiful, confident young woman, studying law at Columbia University, determined to work for the foundation and defend those who couldn't defend themselves.

She stood near the buffet table, laughing with her brother Leo, who was now a tall, energetic twelve-year-old. She wore a simple, elegant white dress—not like the one Lillian had worn to show off, but one that radiated grace and humility.

Adrian stood beside me, his hand resting in mine. His hair was touched with silver at the temples now, making him look even more distinguished, but his eyes, when he looked at me, were still the eyes of the man who had jumped into the freezing harbor to save me.

"She looks so much like you," Adrian murmured, watching Ellie.

"She has your strength," I replied, squeezing his hand.

Ellie looked over and saw us watching her. She smiled, waved, and walked over to us, her heels clicking softly on the stone path.

"What are you two plotting?" she asked, wrapping her arms around both of our waists.

"Just remembering," Adrian said, kissing her temple. "We are so proud of you, Ellie."

"I am who I am because of you both," Ellie said softly, her eyes shining with deep gratitude. "You saved me. In every way a person can be saved."

"We saved each other," I said, leaning my head against her shoulder, while Adrian wrapped his large arms around us both.

As the music played and our friends laughed on the lawn, I looked out over the calm, sparkling lake. The water was still. The dark depths no longer held any monsters.