Chapter 19 - A Family Reborn|
The police arrived within minutes, arresting Vanessa Cole for aggravated burglary, trespassing, and child endangerment. With her prior civil charges, she was faced with years in state prison alongside her father.
By midnight, the storm had passed, leaving the night sky clear and filled with stars.
Upstairs in the nursery, Rosa sat on the edge of Mia's bed, holding the freshly cleaned stuffed rabbit.
Mia was fast asleep, unaffected by the chaos, her small hand resting peacefully over her mother's thumb.
Adrien stepped quietly into the nursery, leaning against the doorframe, watching them with a warm, gentle expression.
"She's sleeping like an angel," Adrien whispered softly.
Rosa looked up, smiling tearfully. "She didn't wake up once. Thank God."
Adrien walked over, sitting beside Rosa on the edge of the bed. He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, dark velvet box.
Rosa blinked, startled. "Adrien... what is that?"
Adrien opened the box. Inside rested a delicate gold pendant shaped like an orchid, featuring a tiny heart-shaped emerald at its center.
"This belonged to Clara," Adrien said softly. "My father gave it to her on her sixteenth birthday. I want you to have it, Rosa."
Rosa touched the shimmering gold, tears slipping down her cheeks. "It's beautiful, Addy."
"You brought my sister back to me, Rosa," Adrien whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You gave me a family when I thought I was alone in the world. Tomorrow, my legal team is officially changing your last name to Hastings."
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Rosa wiped her tears, looking from the golden pendant to her sleeping daughter, then into Adrien's bright, loving eyes.
"Rosa Hastings..." she repeated softly, a beautiful, radiant smile spreading across her face. "I like the sound of that."
