Chapter 20 - An Open Horizon|
Six months later.
The summer sun shone brightly over the sparkling blue waters of the Hamptons.
A massive, elegant white beach house sat on the dunes, surrounded by blooming roses and sea breeze.
In the front yard, three-year-old Mia was running happily through the gentle water spray of a garden hose, laughing as Adrien chased her with a colorful beach towel.
Rosa sat on the wraparound porch, sipping lemonade, watching her family with absolute, peaceful joy.
Hastings Enterprises was thriving under Adrien's leadership, the Cole family was serving their prison sentences, and Rosa had recently opened her own charitable foundation for single mothers in New York.
Adrien caught Mia, lifting her into his arms, both of them drenched and laughing as they walked up the porch steps toward Rosa.
"We conquered the sea monster, Mommy!" Mia cheered, holding up her worn stuffed rabbit, which now wore a tiny gold ribbon around its neck.
"You're both soaking wet!" Rosa laughed, shaking her head as Adrien wrapped them all in a massive beach towel.
Adrien kissed Rosa's cheek softly. "Best summer of my life."
"Mine too," Rosa smiled, resting her head against his shoulder.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden gate at the end of the driveway clicked open.
A tall man in a navy delivery uniform walked up the gravel path, holding a thick, silver-sealed international express envelope.
"Mr. Adrien Hastings?" the courier asked politely.
"Yes," Adrien said, stepping forward.
"This was sent via diplomatic courier from Geneva, Switzerland," the man said, handing Adrien the envelope. "It required a personal signature."
Adrien frowned, taking the heavy envelope. There was no return name—only an old, familiar family seal stamped in red wax on the back.
The Hastings family seal.
Adrien's hands began to shake as he broke the red wax and pulled out a thick sheet of heavy cream paper, along with a small, silver key.
He unfolded the letter.
Written in dark blue ink, in a delicate, familiar handwriting he hadn't seen in over twelve years, were three simple lines:
Addy,
I saw the news about Richard Cole. Thank you for protecting my daughter and my granddaughter.
I'm coming home.
— Clara.
Adrien stared at the paper, his heart slamming against his ribs.
May you like
Rosa leaned over his shoulder, her breath catching in her throat as she read her mother's handwriting.
Adrien looked up toward the ocean horizon, where a sleek private yacht was quietly anchoring in the bay...
