Chapter 10 - Dawn in the ValleyThree weeks later.
The morning sun broke warm and bright over the sprawling Napa Valley estate where Vance had relocated the children for their safety. The air smelled of fresh grapes, pine, and wet earth.
On the wide wooden front porch, five-year-old Owen sat cross-legged, carefully brushing the fur of his brown teddy bear. The crooked blue ear had been professionally repaired. Lily sat beside him, sketching pictures in a brand-new coloring book.
Vance walked out onto the porch carrying a tray of breakfast, wearing a casual linen shirt instead of his usual tailored business suit.
"Good morning, buddy," Vance said gently.
"Uncle Harrison," Owen said, holding up the bear. "Look. It's fixed."
"It looks better than ever," Vance agreed.
The sound of a luxury sedan crunching up the gravel driveway caught their attention. A familiar figure stepped out from the car door. It was David—pale, a bit thinner than he used to be, with a faint scar along his jawline, but walking under his own power, a bright, tearful smile breaking across his face.
Lily dropped her crayons, her eyes widening in disbelief.
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"Daddy!" she screamed, sprinting across the porch and launching herself straight into David's arms.
Owen followed a second later, clutching his teddy bear tightly as David knelt down, burying his face in his children's hair, tears streaming freely down his cheeks.
