Chapter 10 - Epilogue — The Queen's GambitThree years later.
The Evanston pediatric care center was celebrating the opening of a brand-new, state-of-the-art research wing—fully funded by the Bennett-Moretti Foundation.
At a window table overlooking the courtyard, a tall, healthy fifteen-year-old boy with sharp eyes sat leaning over a chessboard, carefully setting up the pieces.
Across from him sat Claire, dressed in a simple navy blazer, her hair falling loosely around her shoulders.
"You're bringing your queen out too early again," Mason noted, raising an eyebrow at his sister with an amused, knowing smirk.
"I like keeping my options open," Claire laughed, making her opening move.
From the doorway of the hospital suite, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed and a quiet, content smile on his face, Adrian watched them. He wore a simple gray sweater, completely stripped of the heavy woolen coats and armored cars of his past life.
He walked over, placing a fresh bag of lemon cookies with grated peel beside the chessboard.
Mason grabbed one immediately, nodding in approval. "Acceptable."
May you like
Adrian chuckled, pulling out the chair beside Claire and sitting down. He slipped his hand under the table, finding Claire's fingers and intertwining them with his own.
She didn't pull away. She just smiled, turned her gaze back to the board, and made her next move—not too early, not too late, but right where it belonged.
