Chapter 24 - The Final Release
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A week before Grace’s due date, a final, unexpected piece of closure arrived.
Nathan was at the studio, reviewing electrical plans for the shelter expansion, when Daniel walked into his office. He closed the door behind him.
“I thought you should know,” Daniel said, his voice carefully neutral. “I got a call from Victoria’s lawyer today.”
Nathan tensed, dropping his pen. “Did she violate the order?”
“No,” Daniel said quickly. “She is officially moving to Europe. Her probation ended last week, and she accepted a job at an art gallery in Paris. She’s leaving the country permanently on Friday. She signed documents formally waiving any remaining claims to the Hale trust to expedite her visa.”
Nathan leaned back in his chair, processing the information.
For years, the specter of Victoria and the Hale family had hovered at the edges of their lives, a dark cloud threatening to rain. Now, the wind was finally blowing it away for good.
“She’s really gone?” Nathan asked.
“She’s gone, Nathan. The old world is completely dismantled. It’s just us now.”
Nathan looked at his brother. They had fought, they had betrayed each other, and they had slowly, painfully found a fragile peace.
“Thank you for telling me, Daniel.”
“I’ll let you get back to work,” Daniel said, turning to leave.
“Daniel. Wait.”
Daniel stopped, his hand on the doorknob.
“Grace is being induced next Thursday,” Nathan said. “If you want to come to the hospital after the baby is born… you’d be welcome.”
Daniel’s shoulders dropped slightly. He turned around, a deeply genuine, grateful smile on his face.
May you like
“I’d like that very much, Nathan.”
When Nathan went home and told Grace the news about Victoria, she didn’t cry. She didn’t panic. She just smiled, poured herself a glass of ice water, and went back to packing her hospital bag. The ghost had finally lost its power to haunt them.
