Chapter 10 - The Brightest Morning
Years later, the story of how a mafia boss's son was saved by a housekeeper's three-year-old daughter became a legend whispered among the old guard of Briar Ridge. But inside the Vale estate, it was simply history—a dark chapter closed by the simplest of truths.
On a bright, crisp Sunday morning, the sun streamed through the tall stained-glass windows of the grand foyer.
Noah, now a healthy, energetic ten-year-old boy carrying his school backpack, raced down the stairs shouting goodbye.
"Come on, Ellie! We're going to miss the bus!"
Ellie, now six and fiercely protective of her older brother, hurried down behind him, adjusting her pink hair bow.
At the front door, Adrian and Sophia stood side by side, watching them leave with a chorus of last-minute instructions.
As the front door clicked shut and the children bounded down the stone steps toward the waiting car, Adrian slipped his arm around Sophia’s waist, pulling her close.
"Remember where we were three years ago tonight?" Adrian murmured, resting his chin gently against her hair.
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Sophia smiled, leaning into his embrace as they watched the morning sun rise over the gardens, bathing the entire estate in a warm, golden, unending light.
"I remember," she whispered happily. "We were just beginning."
