Chapter 19
Late that evening, after the birthday guests had left and Lily was sound asleep in her bedroom, Carter sat in his oceanfront study.
A quiet rain began to fall over the Hamptons, tapping softly against the glass windows.
A heavy wooden box sat on his desk—a package that had been delivered by a private courier an hour ago.
The package had no return address, only a gold-stamped seal bearing the Sterling family crest.
Carter opened the box, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
Inside lay an old, antique gold pocket watch—the exact watch that had belonged to his late first wife, Sarah.
He picked it up, opening the delicate gold casing with trembling fingers.
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Engraved on the inside cover was a fresh date stamped in black ink: tomorrow's date.
Beside the watch lay a small, handwritten note written in elegant cursive handwriting.
