Chapter 7 - The Anniversary
The sky over Brookline Cemetery was the color of bruised slate. A cold, autumn wind swept through the tall oak trees, showering gold and brown leaves over the marble tombstones.
Lucian stood before a pristine white granite monument. The inscription read: Elena Vance — Beloved Wife and Mother.
He wore his dark coat, holding a single bouquet of white lilies—Elena’s favorite. He set the flowers down on the damp stone, stepping back, his head bowed.
Gideon stood twenty paces behind him near the idling Lincoln sedan, keeping a respectful distance.
Lucian looked at his wife’s name. For eleven months, standing at this grave had felt like drowning in an ocean of guilt and unanswered questions. He had carried the weight of her death like an iron chain around his neck.
"I missed you, Elena," Lucian whispered into the cold wind. "I thought my life ended the day you left."
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small photograph taken that very morning. It showed baby Sophia sitting on the playpen floor, holding one ear of the cream-colored cashmere rabbit, while Maya sat beside her, making a silly face for the camera.
Lucian set the photograph gently beside the white lilies.
"Our daughter is sleeping now, Elena," Lucian murmured, a gentle smile touching his lips. "She isn't alone anymore. I found someone who teaches me how to be a father."
He took a deep breath, feeling a strange, profound sense of peace settle over his heart. He wasn't leaving Elena behind; he was carrying her memory forward into a life that was finally worth living.
Suddenly, Gideon’s satellite phone rang violently.
Gideon answered, listened for three seconds, and his face turned gray as ash. "Lucian! We have a breach at the estate!"
Lucian spun around, his eyes turning to liquid fire. "What?!"
"It's Valenti’s men!" Gideon shouted, pulling his weapon as he sprinted toward the car. "They bypassed the West Gate security codes! They're inside the house!"
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Lucian didn't wait. He sprinted toward the Lincoln, his dark coat flying behind him like a storm cloud.
"If a single hair on their heads is touched," Lucian roared, sliding into the driver's seat and slamming his foot onto the gas pedal, "I will slaughter every Valenti in this city!"
