Chapter 29 - A Safe Haven
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Two months later.
The summer sun shone warmly over the lush green lawn of my mother’s Victorian house. The high security fences had been removed, replaced by a charming white picket fence lined with blooming yellow roses.
Dozens of friends, neighbors, and family gathered in the backyard for Clara’s dedication ceremony.
Tessa Morgan sat on a patio chair, laughing as she held Clara, who was now a chubby, happy three-month-old wearing a lace christening gown. Natalie stood nearby, sipping iced tea and chatting with Ben, who looked relaxed and happier than I had ever seen him.
I stood on the back porch, watching the people I loved fill the space that had once felt like a prison.
"You look peaceful, Lyd," Ben said, stepping up beside me and handing me a glass of lemonade.
"I am," I smiled, leaning my head against his shoulder. "For the first time in my life, I'm not waiting for the other shoe to drop. Adrian is serving twenty years in federal prison, Julianna's trial starts next month, and Vanguard is completely gone."
"And Clara?" Ben asked softly, looking out at his little niece.
"Clara has a family that loves her," I said, my heart swelling with a deep, unbreakable warmth. "She has a home, she has her uncle, and she has a mother who will never let anyone hurt her again."
Tessa walked over, carefully handing Clara back into my arms. Clara cooed softly, her bright eyes locking onto mine, her tiny hands reaching up to touch my cheek.
May you like
I kissed her forehead, inhaling the sweet, pure scent of baby lotion and sunshine.
We had survived the storm. We had reclaimed our lives, our name, and our future.
