Chapter 10 - The Light in the Garden
One year later, the Chicago sun was warm and bright, casting a golden glow over the manicured gardens of the Vale estate.
The heavy iron gates that had once kept the world out were now open, welcoming guests to a small, private garden party. Children’s laughter echoed through the trees, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming roses and fresh lemon tea.
The estate had been transformed. The dark, heavy furniture was gone, replaced with light, airy decor that let the sunlight stream through every window.
Seraphina stood by the rose bushes, wearing a beautiful, flowing white linen dress. Her hair was down, blowing softly in the warm summer breeze. She looked radiant, her skin glowing, her eyes bright and free of the fear that had once shadowed them.
She felt a pair of strong, familiar arms wrap around her waist from behind.
"You're hiding again, Mrs. Vale," Ronan whispered in her ear, his lips brushing against her shoulder.
She turned in his arms, her hands resting on his chest. His face was clean, the scars on his knuckles faded, his expression relaxed and peaceful.
"I’m not hiding," she laughed, her voice clear and musical. "I’m just enjoying the view."
"The view is much better from here," Ronan said, looking down at her with a love so intense it took her breath away.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, shiny object. It was a new, gold key.
"What is this?" she asked, smiling.
"It’s the key to our new house in Maine," Ronan said. "The one on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean. The construction is finally finished. No bodyguards, no security gates, no syndicate. Just you, me, and the sea."
Seraphina took the key, her fingers tracing the warm metal. She looked back toward the kitchen window, remembering the terrified, weeping maid who had stood over the sink twelve months ago, convinced her life was over.
She looked up at the man who had saved her, the man who had loved her enough to destroy his own dark kingdom just to keep her safe.
"I love you, Ronan," she whispered.
May you like
"I loved you the moment you flinched, Seraphina," he said, pulling her close and pressing his lips to hers. "Because I knew, even then, that I would spend the rest of my life making sure you never flinched again."
The rain had finally stopped, leaving behind a bright, beautiful, and endless summer.
