Chapter 7
Outside in the sprawling courtyard, Chloe had set up a makeshift blanket on the emerald lawn where the afternoon sun filtered through the grand oak trees. Leo and Liam chased a colorful rubber ball across the grass, their bubbling laughter echoing against the stone walls of the mansion.
Julian watched them from the French doors of his study, holding a cup of black coffee that he had completely forgotten to drink. Chloe sat cross-legged on the blanket, weaving a daisy chain and placing it gently on Liam's head like a crown.
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She didn't act like ordinary domestic staff; she moved with an instinctive, nurturing grace that suggested a much deeper background than a standard employment agency resume. Julian made a mental note to review her background file from human resources later that evening.
For now, the only thing that mattered was the bright, genuine light shining in his children's eyes. The darkness had retreated, vanquished by the simple power of human joy.
