Chapter 16 - THE AFTERMATH OF CHRISTMAS
By six o'clock on Christmas morning, the snowstorm had cleared, leaving a brilliant golden sunrise over the Connecticut estate.
Inside the warm, fully restored living room, the twenty-five family members sat together drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace.
The power had been restored, and the Christmas tree lights glittered brightly against the framed US flag on the wall.
David sat on the sofa beside his mother, holding a warm mug while looking at the fresh divorce papers on the coffee table.
"I can't believe I was so blind for five years, Mom," David admitted softly, his voice full of deep, lingering regret.
"Love makes a man blind to small faults, David... but greed eventually exposes everything," Margaret answered gently.
Sarah walked over, placing a plate of warm breakfast pastries on the table before wrapping her arms around her brother.
"The important thing is that our family is safe, and that monster is sitting in a county jail cell where she belongs," Sarah stated.
"She’s facing charges of attempted mass murder, arson, fraud, and extortion," David added, reading his phone screen.
"Her lawyer requested bail this morning, but the judge denied it due to her being a extreme flight risk," he noted.
Margaret took a slow sip of her tea, looking out the large window at the pristine, snow-covered landscape of her home.
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"The storm has passed, David... now we rebuild what was broken," Margaret declared with quiet, unshakeable strength.
***
