Chapter 10: Dawn
Six months later.
The sun rose over a quiet cottage in Maine.
Elena sat on the porch, a cup of decaf coffee in her hand. The air was salt-thick and sweet.
Inside, she could hear the soft, rhythmic breathing of a baby. Leo.
He had his father’s eyes, but Elena promised herself that was the only thing he would ever inherit from the Sterlings.
The morning paper lay on the table.
*MARTHA STERLING SENTENCED TO LIFE. JULIAN STERLING PLEADS GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY AND MURDER.*
The Sterling empire was gone. Liquidation. Assets seized. The ledger had done its job.
Elena felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Sarah.
Not the Sarah from that night. This Sarah had been the one to call the ambulance after Elena left. She had been the one to testify against her own mother.
"He’s awake," Sarah whispered, smiling.
Elena stood up. Her body felt light. The shadows of the mansion were a lifetime away.
She walked inside, picked up her son, and held him against the light.
They were safe.
They were free.
The cycle was broken.
