Chapter 10 - The Sun Rises
Six months later, the morning sun broke brightly over the coastal waters of Portland, Maine, painting the harbor in brilliant shades of gold and amber.
The front page of the Portland Daily Chronicle sat on the coffee table inside a bright, sunlit loft apartment overlooking the ocean:
VIVIAN ASHFORD SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AND EXTORTION. BENNETT SHIPPING EMPIRE FULLY RESTORED TO HEIR CLAIRE BENNETT.
Inside the apartment, the floor-to-ceiling windows were wide open, letting in the cool, crisp sea breeze.
Claire stood by the railing on the outdoor balcony, wearing a simple white linen dress. Her hair was styled, her skin healthy and glowing, her dark eyes filled with a peace that had been stolen from her for two decades.
Ethan walked out onto the balcony, holding two hot cups of coffee. He handed one to her, leaning his elbow on the railing beside her.
"The board meeting went well today?" Ethan asked with a warm smile.
"We just finalized the foundation grant," Claire said softly, looking out at the boats sailing across the bay. "Ten million dollars to establish the Bennett Center for Missing and Exploited Children. No child will ever be erased again, Ethan. Not on my watch."
Ethan reached out, gently taking her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers. "And what about you, Claire? What are you going to do now that you have your whole life back?"
Claire looked up at the sky, feeling the warm sunlight bathing her face—a feeling she had dreamed of every single day for twenty years while scratching tally marks into a cold plaster wall.
May you like
She turned to Ethan, a bright, breathtaking smile filling her face.
"I'm going to live, Ethan," Claire whispered softly, leaning her head against his shoulder as the sun rose higher over the endless sea. "I'm finally going to live."
