Chapter 10 - A New Sunrise
Three months later.
The storm had long since passed, leaving behind crisp, brilliant autumn air that washed over Manhattan like a fresh page.
Inside the Mercer penthouse, the interior garden was blooming with vibrant green ferns and orchids, fed by automated climate systems that hummed quietly in the background. The white marble floors shone like glass under the morning sun.
In the living room, little Lily sat cross-legged on a large plush rug, stacking wooden building blocks while wearing a bright yellow sweater. Her brown eyes were bright, wide, and entirely free of the shadows that had once haunted them.
Rosa walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fresh fruit and pastries, wearing a bright smile and a comfortable silk blouse.
She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling glass wall, where Ethan stood looking out over the city. He wore a simple black cashmere sweater, his sleeves pushed up, holding a steaming mug of coffee.
Rosa stepped up beside him, leaning her shoulder gently against his arm.
Ethan turned, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close against his side. He pressed a warm kiss to the top of her head.
“Morning, beautiful,” Ethan murmured against her hair.
“Morning,” Rosa smiled, looking out at the city skyline. “You know, looking out at all this... I finally feel like we’re home.”
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“It was always your home,” Ethan corrected softly, turning her face toward his and leaning down to capture her lips in a deep, tender kiss that tasted of coffee, warmth, and forever.
Across the room, Lily looked up from her building blocks, giggled softly, and went right back to building her castle, knowing that the monsters were gone, the darkness was behind them, and the sunrise outside belonged entirely to them.
