Chapter 10 - THE EVERLASTING LIGHT
Three years later.
The sun was setting over the Greenwich estate—our home, which we had completely transformed into a warm, welcoming sanctuary full of gardens, children’s play areas, and open doors.
In the wide green yard, four-year-old Sophia was running through the grass, holding the hand of her two-year-old baby brother, Leo, who babbled happily as he chased a red ball.
Julian sat on the wide stone patio, watching them with a deep, serene smile. He wore an open-collared linen shirt, looking healthier and happier than he ever had in his life.
I walked out of the house carrying a tray of fresh lemonade, wearing a comfortable summer dress.
Julian stood up immediately, stepping over to take the heavy tray from my hands, setting it on the patio table before pulling me into his arms.
“You shouldn't be carrying heavy things,” Julian teased gently, pressing a soft kiss to my temple.
“It’s just lemonade, Mr. Ashworth,” I laughed, resting my hands against his chest.
“Still,” he murmured, pulling me closer. “My wife deserves to be pampered.”
We stood together on the terrace, watching our children play in the warm twilight.
The dark days of suspicion, fake letters, and poverty felt like a distant, faded memory from another life. In its place, we had built a fortress of love, honesty, and enduring peace.
Sophia ran up the patio steps, holding a handful of yellow wildflowers she had picked from the garden.
“Look, Mommy! Look, Daddy!” she shouted happily, holding them up. “I picked them for you!”
Julian knelt down on one knee, scooping both Sophia and little Leo into his arms, pulling them tight against his chest. He looked up at me, his silver eyes glowing with boundless love and gratitude.
“They’re beautiful, sweetie,” Julian said softly to Sophia, before looking up into my eyes. “Just like your mother.”
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I knelt down beside them on the warm stone patio, wrapping my arms around my husband and our children as the warm evening breeze carried the sweet scent of roses through our home.
The past was written, the lies were broken, and our future was unshakeable.
