Chapter 16
That evening, Ethan and Lily sat together in the renovated library of the Long Island estate.
A warm fire crackled softly in the white brick fireplace, illuminating the comfortable leather armchairs.
Lily sat on Ethan's lap, turning the pages of an illustrated storybook while he read aloud to her.
"Daddy, do you think Mommy is watching us from heaven?" Lily asked suddenly, looking up at him with clear brown eyes.
Ethan paused, stroking her dark hair gently as he looked at a framed photograph of Clara resting on the mantle.
"I know she is, Lily," Ethan answered softly, his voice full of deep, authentic affection.
"She is so proud of how brave and strong you've been through everything."
Lily smiled softly, leaning her head against his chest as the warmth of the fire made her eyes grow heavy.
Within minutes, her soft, rhythmic breathing signaled that she had fallen fast asleep in his arms.
Ethan carried her upstairs to her bedroom, tucking her under the soft pink comforter and kissing her forehead.
He lingered in the doorway for a long moment, watching over her in the quiet safety of their home.
He had fulfilled his promise to Clara, defending their child against the darkest greed imaginable.
Returning downstairs to his private study, Ethan sat at his desk to review the weekly estate reports.
May you like
The house was quiet, peaceful, and filled with the comforting security he had fought so hard to reclaim.
He opened his laptop to log into his secure personal email account before calling it a night.
