Chapter 18 - The Awakening
Twenty-four hours after the Calverton raid, the storm had completely passed, leaving behind a pristine, sparkling blanket of white under a cloudless sapphire sky.
Inside the east wing medical suite, the heavy velvet drapes were tied back, allowing the golden morning sunlight to pour over the medical bed.
Clara sat on the edge of the mattress, holding her mother’s hand, when she felt a faint, delicate squeeze against her fingers.
Clara gasped, dropping her teacup onto the bedside table. “Mom?”
Helena’s eyelids fluttered, opening slowly against the bright light. Her pale, hazel eyes—the exact shade of Clara’s—scanned the vaulted ceiling, the antique paintings, and finally settled on her daughter’s face.
“Clara…” Helena’s voice was weak, raspy, but clear. “Where… where are we? Are we in heaven?”
Tears of pure, overwhelming joy spilled down Clara’s cheeks as she threw her arms gently around her mother’s neck, weeping against her shoulder.
“No, Mom,” Clara laughed through her tears. “We’re safe. We’re in Long Island. You’re getting better.”
Helena stroked her daughter’s hair, her gaze drifting toward the open doorway where Dominic stood quietly, dressed in a soft sweater, watching the reunion with a profound, peaceful warmth in his gray eyes.
Helena looked at the gold wedding band gleaming on Clara’s finger, then up at the towering, broad-shouldered man in the doorway.
“Who is he, Clara?” Helena asked softly.
Dominic walked into the room, stepping with quiet, respectful grace to the side of the bed. He took Helena’s fragile hand, bowing his head with deep, sincere reverence.
“My name is Dominic Rossi, Mrs. Bennett,” Dominic said, his voice rich and steady. “I am your daughter’s husband. And as long as I have breath in my lungs, no harm will ever come to either of you again.”
May you like
Helena looked at the fierce, unyielding devotion in Dominic’s eyes, then at her daughter’s radiant smile, and closed her eyes with a deep, contented sigh of pure relief.
“Thank you, Dominic,” Helena whispered. “Thank you for taking care of my brave little girl.”
