Chapter 18 - The Sanctuary
Three months passed.
The city of New York moved on with its relentless, frantic pace, completely unaware of the quiet revolution that had taken place behind the iron gates of the Fifth Avenue estate.
Daniel Miller’s trial concluded with a twenty-year sentence in a maximum-security federal penitentiary, stripped of his name, his wealth, and his legacy. The Miller Group was officially dissolved, its remaining assets redirected into a newly established foundation for mothers and infants in crisis, managed entirely by Ava Miller.
Inside the sprawling estate, the sound of tiny footsteps echoed across the polished hardwood floors.
Chloe and Claire were walking now, wobbling on unsteady legs, chasing a rolling red ball across the living room rug.
Ava sat on the sofa, laughing as Claire tumbled gently into a plush cushion.
Elias walked into the room carrying a small, beautifully wrapped velvet box. He didn't wear his usual heavy charcoal suit; he wore a simple dark button-down shirt, the sleeves rolled up, looking less like a mafia overlord and more like a man finally at peace.
May you like
He walked over to Ava and knelt down on one knee.
Ava looked down at him, her heart skipping a beat. "Elias... what is this?"
