We walked through the front doors of the stone mansion together.

The foyer was warm, the grandfather clock ticking slowly in the corner.

I looked at the grand staircase where I had once polished the wooden banisters as a housekeeper.

Now, I walked up those stairs as the co-owner of the estate, my family walking beside me.

We showed Johnny, Paul, and Lily to their new rooms on the second floor.

The rooms were spacious, with large windows overlooking the dark gardens.

Lily immediately climbed into her new canopy bed, pulling the soft down comforter to her chin.

“Goodnight, Emily,” she whispered, her eyes fluttering shut.

“Goodnight, sweetie,” I said, kissing her forehead.

I closed her door quietly and met Nathan in the hallway.

The house was peaceful.

We walked down to the library and sat by the fireplace.

The fire crackled, sending warmth through the large, high-ceilinged room.

Nathan poured two small glasses of amber cider and handed one to me.

“To the future,” he said, raising his glass.

“To the family,” I said.

We clinked our glasses together, the sound clear and bright in the quiet house.

The legal battles with Eleanor’s lawyers would take months, but the outcome was certain.

She would remain in custody, facing the consequences of her choices.

The corporation was secure, and our lives were finally our own.

I leaned my head against Nathan’s shoulder, watching the flames dance on the hearth.

The girl who had run through the smoke to save her siblings was finally warm, and she was finally home.