Chapter 4: A Mansion Becomes a Home
Three months later.
The cold, sterile atmosphere of the Blackwood Estate had completely vanished. The grand foyer was no longer a temple of arrogance; it was filled with the warm, rich scent of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and chicken pot pie.
In the private courtyard behind the mansion, overlooking a beautifully manicured rose garden, Mary Vance sat in a luxurious, heated lounge chair. Her silver hair was neatly styled, and she wore a soft, expensive cashmere cardigan. Her skin had regained its healthy color, and the deep lines of worry that had plagued her face for decades had been smoothed out by peace and comfort.
Beside her, Lily, who had been promoted to the estate's chief house manager with a salary that tripled her previous earnings, was pouring a cup of hot chamomile tea.
Ethan walked out onto the patio, loosening his tie as he returned from a short day at the office. The cold, ruthless billionaire vanished the moment his eyes landed on Mary. He smiled warmly, walking over to kiss the old woman’s cheek.
"How are your knees feeling today, Mom?" Ethan asked softly, using the title he had always wanted to give her.
"They don't hurt at all anymore, sweetie," Mary chuckled, her hands resting warmly over his. "The physical therapist you hired says I'll be walking the beach by next week. But Ethan... you didn't have to buy me that estate in Malibu. This mansion is already too big for an old woman like me."
"The Malibu house is for your retirement, Mary," Ethan smiled, sitting on the edge of her chair. "You spent your whole life cleaning up other people's messes. Now, you’re going to sit back and let the world take care of you. I bought the property under your name yesterday."
Tears of pure gratitude welled in Mary’s eyes. She looked around the beautiful, sun-drenched estate, then looked at the young man she had protected when he was just a boy with nothing but a dream.
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"You always had a good heart, Ethan," Mary whispered. "Even when we had nothing but a single loaf of bread to share, you always looked out for others."
"I learned it from the best," Ethan replied gently.
