Chapter 10 - A New DawnThree days later, the penthouse on the forty-second floor felt entirely different.
The hum of the refrigerator was still there, and the Chicago skyline still gleamed outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. But the heavy, oppressive cold that had defined the space for years was gone.
In the living room, Lily was sitting cross-legged on the plush rug, laughing hysterically as she colored inside a brand-new coloring book, her tiny heart monitor entirely gone, replaced by a clean bill of health from Northwestern Memorial.
Sophia walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray of fresh coffee, her dark hair neatly clipped, her eyes bright and filled with a peace she hadn't felt in seven years.
Julian sat beside Lily on the floor, helping her pick out a blue crayon, while Marcus stood by the window, watching them with a quiet, satisfied smile.
“You know,” Sophia said softly, walking over and handing Marcus a cup of black coffee, “you don’t have to keep paying for the penthouse upgrade. We can move out now. We have our lives back.”
Marcus took the cup, his fingers brushing hers for a fraction of a second. He looked down at Lily, then back at Sophia and Julian.
“You’re not moving anywhere,” Marcus said with absolute finality. “This building is big enough for three. And besides... someone has to make sure Julian doesn't burn down the kitchen when he tries to make breakfast.”
Julian laughed from the floor, holding up a blue crayon in defense. “Hey! My culinary skills are vastly underrated.”
Sophia shook her head, a warm, genuine smile breaking across her face as she leaned against the window frame beside Marcus.
May you like
For the first time in her life, she wasn't looking at Marcus Hail like weather—dangerous, distant, something to survive.
He was just family.
