Chapter 10 - the song of the estate
Three months later, the warm summer breeze blew across the manicured lawns of Ashford Manor, carrying the sweet scent of blooming roses and fresh pine across the hills.
The dark shadows that had hung over the estate for four long years were completely gone. Evelyn Ashford was facing twenty years in a federal maximum-security prison for attempted murder, fraud, and extortion. The Ashford shipping trust had been fully restored, and peace had finally returned to the family.
In the sunlit garden behind the main house, three-year-old Zuri ran happily through the green grass, chasing a small golden retriever puppy Damon had gifted her for her birthday. Her bright laughter echoed warmly through the warm air.
Sitting at a white wrought-iron table on the stone terrace were Damon and Naomi.
Naomi no longer wore her maid uniform. She looked breathtaking in a simple cream summer dress, her brown hair flowing loose over her shoulders, her fair skin glowing in the sunlight.
Damon sat beside her, wearing a simple white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up, looking more relaxed and genuinely happy than his staff had ever seen him in his entire life. He reached out, gently taking Naomi's hand in his broad palm.
"What are you thinking about, Naomi?" Damon asked softly, his intense eyes filled with deep, unshakeable warmth.
Naomi looked out over the sunny garden, then smiled at him. "I was thinking about how much this house has changed. It doesn't feel like a fortress anymore, Damon. It feels like a home."
"Because you and Zuri are in it," Damon murmured gently, leaning in to place a soft kiss on her cheek.
Suddenly, Marcus walked out onto the stone terrace, carrying a thick, black leather envelope stamped with an official wax seal from Switzerland.
Marcus handed the envelope to Damon, his expression calm but focused. "Boss. This just arrived via private courier from the medical sanctuary in Geneva."
Damon broke the wax seal and pulled out a single sheet of heavy parchment written in fine, elegant handwriting.
He read the lines written across the paper, a quiet, subtle smile touching his rugged features as he looked at Naomi.
Written on the parchment were only two sentences:
To Damon and Naomi: I am fully recovered and living peacefully in the Alps. Take care of my home, hold little Zuri tight, and build the future you both deserve.
Naomi looked at the letter, tears of joy filling her eyes as she squeezed Damon's hand tightly. "She's at peace..."
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"We are all at peace, my love," Damon whispered softly into the warm summer breeze, pulling Naomi close to his side as they watched Zuri play on the sunny lawn under the clear blue sky.
Down at the bottom of the garden path, fifty yards away near the outer estate wall, a small decorative copper bell attached to an old stone gate chimed gently in the wind, its soft tone carrying a new, quiet melody into the afternoon light.
