Chapter 10 - THE MANSION OF LIGHT
The sun was setting low over the Chesapeake Bay, casting a brilliant orange and gold light across the calm water.
The wedding reception had moved into the grand dining hall and gardens of Harrow Point. Music played softly through the open doors, laughter echoed off the marble walls, and the delicious scent of roasted feast and sweet cake filled the evening air.
Victor stepped away from the main party on the terrace, walking slowly down toward the edge of the stone seawall where the waves tapped gently against the rocks.
He leaned against the wooden railing, holding a glass of sparkling water, watching the sunset painted across the horizon.
Footsteps patted softly across the grass behind him.
Little Poppy, still wearing her white flower-girl dress but now barefoot, ran across the lawn. In her small hands, she clutched her favorite gray stuffed rabbit, along with a small black velvet box.
She stopped beside Victor’s leg, looking up at him with her big, bright blue eyes.
"Victor!" she squeaked happily.
Victor smiled, setting his glass on the stone wall and kneeling down on one knee so he was at eye-level with the little girl.
"What are you doing out here, little duck?" Victor asked warmly.
Poppy held out the small black velvet box. "Marcus said I should give this back to you now that you're my daddy."
Victor took the velvet box, opening the brass clasp.
Inside, resting on black velvet, was the solid gold Castellano coin with its built-in micro-GPS tracker.
Victor looked at the coin, then looked up at the warm light glowing from the windows of Harrow Point, where Hannah stood on the terrace speaking happily with Marcus and the guests.
"You know, Poppy," Victor said softly, picking up the gold coin. "I don't think I need to keep this in a box anymore."
"Why?" Poppy asked, tilting her curly head in curiosity.
Victor reached out, placing the heavy gold coin directly into Poppy’s tiny palm, closing her small fingers over it.
"Because as long as I have you and your mother," Victor said, his voice rich with deep, undeniable love, "I will never be lost again."
Poppy beamed with delight, slipping the heavy coin into the small pocket of her dress before lunging forward and wrapping her arms tightly around Victor’s neck.
Victor pulled the child close into a warm, fatherly embrace, lifting her easily onto his hip as he stood up.
He turned back toward the brightly lit mansion. Through the high glass windows of the study—the very room where a terrified three-year-old girl had run six months ago on a dark, stormy night—warm light poured out into the dusk.
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Hannah stepped down from the terrace, her white dress catching the golden evening light as she walked across the green lawn toward them, her hand extended, her heart belonging completely to the man who had saved her world.
Victor took his wife’s hand, holding his daughter securely on his arm, and together, they walked into the light of their home.
