Chapter 9 - Ashes to EleganceTwo weeks later, the estate underwent its final, symbolic cleansing.
A team of specialized contractors arrived at dawn to dismantle the last remnants of the old regime. Every trace of Victoria Haynes—her designer throw pillows left in the master suite, her monogrammed stationery in the study, and the shattered pieces of the coffee cup she had dropped on the marble floor—was hauled away and tossed into industrial dumpsters.
In their place, the house began to bloom with life.
Bright floral arrangements chosen by Rosa filled the grand foyer. The formal dining room, once used only for cold, stiff investor dinners, was converted into a sprawling arts-and-crafts playroom where Lily could finger-paint without fear of ruining expensive upholstery.
And in the east parlor, the grand piano was tuned to perfection.
On a crisp Friday afternoon, Ethan sat at his desk in the private study reviewing the final merger documents that officially consolidated Haynes Development’s remaining assets under the newly formed Caldwell-Martinez Foundation—a philanthropic initiative entirely directed by Rosa to fund housing and education for disadvantaged single mothers.
Marcus knocked twice before pushing the door open.
"Boss," Marcus said, a rare grin breaking through his usual stone-faced demeanor. "You have a visitor at the gate. Well, not a visitor. A delivery."
Ethan looked up, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of delivery?"
Marcus stepped aside, revealing a massive, intricately carved wooden crate being wheeled in by two estate workers. Across the side of the crate, stenciled in bold black lettering, was a shipping label from a historic piano restoration workshop in Vienna.
Ethan stood up slowly, walking around the desk. "What is this?"
"Your mother’s piano," Marcus said, gesturing to the crate. "When you inherited the estate, the original soundboard had a hairline crack from humidity. You never had it fully restored because... well, you didn't care enough back then."
Ethan stared at the wooden crate, a wave of profound realization washing over him. The piano in the east parlor wasn't just his mother's old instrument—it was a relic of a frozen, lonely past that he had finally brought back to life.
"Uncrate it," Ethan instructed quietly. "Put it right beside the other one."
May you like
"Both of them?" Marcus asked, surprised.
"Yes," Ethan said, a slow smile touching his lips. "One for memories. One for the future."
