Chapter 6 - A Peaceful Sunday
ONE YEAR LATER.
The sun shone brightly over the small, two-story farmhouse on the edge of the countryside—Arthur’s quiet home, surrounded by green fields, oak trees, and a wooden porch.
It was Easter Sunday again.
Inside the kitchen, the air was filled with the delicious scent of glazed ham, fresh bread, and lemon pie. Classical music played softly from a small radio on the counter.
Lily stood by the island counter, wearing a bright yellow sundress, cutting fresh roses to place in a glass vase. Her laugh was no longer delayed or hesitant; it was bright, loud, and genuine as she joked with Dr. Joseph Hayes, who had come over for dinner.
Outside on the porch, Arthur sat in a wooden rocking chair, holding a mug of black coffee.
Beside him on the side table lay his old black tactical case—closed, locked, and covered in a thin layer of dust. The satellite phone inside had been deactivated, its mission complete, its purpose served.
Marcus Vance walked up the porch steps, wearing a simple polo shirt, carrying a box of pastries.
"Everything is quiet on the legal front, Arthur," Marcus said, leaning against the porch railing. "Richard Sterling’s final appeal was rejected this morning. He will be serving his full twenty-two-year sentence without parole. His mother’s plea deal was finalized—ten years in state custody."
Arthur took a slow sip of his black coffee, looking out over his peaceful land.
"Good," Arthur said simply.
"You know," Marcus smiled, looking at the locked tactical case on the table, "the agency misses you, Commander. The team talked about how fast you dismantled a multi-million-dollar empire in under six hours."
Arthur shook his head softly, a peaceful smile touching his lips.
"That life is behind me, Marcus," Arthur said gently. "I'm not a commander anymore."
Lily pushed open the wooden screen door, holding a plate of warm lemon pie, her smile illuminating the entire porch.
"Dad! Dinner's ready!" she called out happily. "Come inside before the food gets cold!"
Arthur stood up from his chair, setting his coffee mug down. He looked at his daughter—vibrant, safe, free, and surrounded by real love.
May you like
"Coming, sweetheart," Arthur replied.
As he walked through the front door into the warm, cheerful kitchen, leaving the dark ghost of the past behind forever, Arthur Cole knew that his house was no longer lonely. It was home.
