Chapter 11
Two days later, the sun shone brightly over the rolling green hills of the Vance estate in Westchester, New York.
The sky was a clear, brilliant blue, devoid of any lingering storm clouds.
Clara sat in a plush armchair on the sunlit back patio, dressed in a soft white cashmere sweater.
Her color had returned, and though she was still thin, her smile was radiant as she watched Lily play on the lawn.
Lily was running through the grass, wearing her pastel pink satin dress, chasing the family’s golden retriever.
Ethan walked out onto the patio carrying two mugs of hot tea, handing one to his wife.
He sat on the edge of her chair, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“The doctors say your bloodwork is completely clear,” Ethan said softly. “You’re home for good.”
“It feels like a dream,” Clara murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I spent four years in that dark room thinking I would never see her grow up.”
“I’m never letting anyone hurt either of you again,” Ethan swore, pressing his lips to her crown.
Sarah walked out onto the patio carrying a tray of fresh blueberry scones.
“Mr. Vance, your sister is on line one,” Sarah informed him gently.
Ethan picked up the cordless phone from the side table. “Hey, Vic.”
“Chloe and her father were both denied bail this morning,” Victoria reported from her Manhattan office.
“The Senator is facing twenty years for corporate fraud and false imprisonment.”
“And Chloe?” Ethan asked, his jaw tightening slightly.
“Chloe’s lawyers tried to plead insanity, but the judge threw it out after reviewing the transfer receipts to the clinic.”
“Good,” Ethan said. “Let them rot.”
“There’s one more thing, Ethan,” Victoria added, her tone becoming cautious.
“We searched Senator Montgomery’s private safe at his residence in Greenwich.”
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“Did you find the land deeds?”
“We found the deeds,” Victoria said, pausing for effect. “And a file marked Vance Senior, 1999.”
