Chapter 10 - The Long Island Sun
One year later.
The summer sun shone brightly over the Atlantic Ocean, reflecting off the calm waters surrounding the Rossi estate on Long Island.
The iron gates were open. The dark, cold atmosphere that had once made the stone mansion feel like a prison was completely gone, replaced by the sounds of children’s laughter, warm ocean breezes, and music drifting from the open terrace windows.
I stood on the lush green lawn, wearing linen trousers and a casual white shirt, watching Leo run across the grass on his sturdy little legs, chasing a golden retriever puppy we had adopted three months ago. He was fourteen months old, bursting with health, energy, and joy.
"Leo! Don't run too fast, sweetie!" a sweet, clear voice called out from the patio.
Hannah stepped out onto the lawn, wearing a flowing white sun dress that caught the ocean breeze. She was seven months pregnant with our daughter—a healthy, thriving pregnancy monitored by a loving medical team.
I walked up behind her, wrapping my arms gently around her waist, resting my hands over her baby bump. She leaned back against my chest, letting out a soft, contented sigh as she watched our son fall over in the grass, laughing hysterically as the puppy licked his cheeks.
"He looks just like you when he laughs," Hannah smiled, turning her head to kiss my jawline.
"He gets his strength from you," I replied softly, kissing her temple.
I looked back at the grand stone house behind us. The windows were wide open, letting the sunlight flood into every room that had once been dark and filled with grief.
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We had both walked through the darkest valleys of human suffering—loss, violence, betrayal, and unbearable grief. But standing here on the edge of the sea, holding the woman I loved, watching our son thrive under the sun, I knew that the shadows had lost their power forever.
Life had returned to the Rossi estate. And this time, it was here to stay.
