Chapter 21 - An Open Secret Echoes Through The Boston Winter Night

The first winter snowfall began to drift softly down over the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill, covering the city in pristine white.
Inside the warm library, Noah was fast asleep on the sofa, clutching his toy truck while the fireplace crackled merrily.
Gabriel poured two glasses of aged bourbon, handing one to Harper as they stood together by the tall French windows.
“What happens next, Mr. Ashford?” Harper asked with a soft, playful smile, raising her glass toward his in quiet salute.
Gabriel clinked his glass against hers, his dark eyes sparkling with a rare, genuine warmth that few ever lived to see.
“What happens next, Harper, is whatever you want it to be... as long as you stay right by my side,” he answered smoothly.
Before Harper could reply, the secure estate phone on the mahogany desk began to ring with a blinking red emergency light.
May you like
Gabriel picked up the receiver, listened for three seconds, and let out a cold, knowing smile as the line clicked dead.
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