Chapter 9 - the morning after
Christmas morning dawned bright and clear over the estate. The rising sun cast a warm golden glow over the fresh snow, making the courtyard glitter like millions of diamonds.
The broken gates had already been cleared, and the courtyard was once again pristine and peaceful. The enormous forty-foot Christmas tree stood tall, its lights glowing softly against the morning light.
Inside the grand living room, a massive roaring fire warmed the space. Underneath the indoor Christmas tree lay dozens of fresh presents, wrapped in bright red and gold paper.
Eddie ran into the living room, wearing comfortable pale-blue pajamas, his face bright with joy. Caesar trotted happily beside him, his tail wagging as he sniffed the packages.
Victor walked into the room, wearing a comfortable dark wool sweater and trousers, holding two mugs of warm cider. He sat down on a leather armchair near the fire, watching his son open his gifts.
Eddie dropped to his knees beside a large rectangular box tied with a gold bow. He carefully tore open the paper, revealing a brand-new, hand-carved wooden toy set—an exact, even more beautiful replacement for the present Logan had crushed the night before.
Eddie let out a gasp of pure delight, holding the wooden toy up to show Victor. "Look, Dad! It's the train set!"
Victor smiled warmly, setting his mug down. "Santa made sure you got the right one this time, Eddie."
Eddie ran over, wrapping his small arms around Victor’s leg. "Thank you, Dad. This is the best Christmas ever."
Victor reached down, lifting his son into his lap, hugging him close against his chest. "You deserve the best, Eddie. Always."
Marcus stepped quietly into the room, holding a silver tray with a small, sealed wax letter. He set it on the table beside Victor.
"This just arrived from our private courier in Geneva, Boss," Marcus whispered. "It was released automatically from Julian's Swiss safety deposit box on Christmas morning."
Victor picked up the letter, opening the seal with his thumb.
May you like
Inside was a single photograph taken eight years ago—showing Julian standing beside a beautiful, dark-haired woman holding newborn Eddie in her arms. But on the back of the photograph, written in Julian's handwriting, was a sentence that made Victor’s dark eyes narrow into deep focus:
Victor... Eddie has a twin sister living in London.
