Chapter 20 - The Unbroken CircleThe heavy mahogany front door of the penthouse chimed with a gentle, electronic ring.
I froze for a fraction of a second, the old phantom reflex of fear tightening my chest. But then I looked down at Elena, who yawned peacefully in her sleep, completely safe, completely secure.
I walked over to the door and pulled it open.
There was no angry mother, no scheming wife, no mysterious stranger from the shadows. Just a friendly postal worker holding a small, neatly wrapped package.
"Package for Mr. Christopher Vance," the courier smiled cheerfully.
"Thank you," I replied, taking the box with a calm, steady hand.
I closed the door, locked the deadbolt securely, and carried my daughter back toward the living room. Sitting down on the sofa, I opened the small box with a pocketknife. Inside was a simple, elegant silver locket engraved with a single word: Family.
There was no return address, and I didn't need one. It didn't matter who sent it. The cycle of secrets and lies was permanently broken.
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I clipped the locket around my neck, kissed my daughter's forehead, and smiled as the sun filled the room with brilliant, golden light.
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