Chapter 12 - Sanctuary Restored
By four o’clock in the morning, the armored convoy pulled back through the iron gates of the Bellini estate.
Rachel had spent hours pacing the floor of the East Wing, her hands twisted into tight knots, her heart trapped in her throat.
When the heavy oak door of the suite finally swung open, Rachel rushed across the threshold.
She stopped dead in her tracks as Sarah walked through the entrance, carrying the baby safely wrapped in a thick wool blanket.
“Sarah!” Rachel cried out, throwing her arms around her sister in a crushing, desperate embrace.
The two sisters wept openly, their tears soaking into each other’s shoulders as the nightmare of the past few hours finally dissolved.
Margaret sat in her wheelchair nearby, watching the reunion with a gentle, serene smile touching her weathered lips.
Mason lingered near the doorway, watching the scene unfold with quiet satisfaction before turning to slip back into the hallway.
“Wait,” Rachel called out, pulling away from her sister and looking toward Mason.
Mason paused, turning his head over his shoulder to meet her gaze.
“Thank you,” Rachel whispered, her voice thick with raw emotion.
“You don’t ever need to thank me for bringing your family under my roof, Rachel,” Mason replied softly.
“Your sister and niece have the suite on the western corridor.”
“They will have round-the-clock protection until every last rat tied to Arthur’s syndicate is cleared from the streets.”
Margaret wheeled closer, reaching out to touch the baby’s tiny hand as Sarah smiled through her tears.
“The house feels alive again tonight, Mason,” Margaret observed quietly.
May you like
“For twenty-two years, this place has only known ghosts and shadows.”
“Maybe it’s time we finally let the light in.”
