Chapter 8 - A NEW DAWN
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in Atlanta, turning the lush gardens of the Blake estate into a sea of blooming pink azaleas, white hydrangeas, and green lawns.
The dark, oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the house for over a year had completely vanished. The grand windows were open, allowing warm sunshine and soft breezes to fill the rooms.
Out on the lawn, five-year-old Samuel was running happily, kicking a soccer ball toward a small net while laughing loudly.
Sitting on the stone patio terrace was Destiny, wearing a light summer dress, working on her tablet. Over the past six months, Matthew had paid for her full tuition to enroll in a top pediatric child development degree program at Emory University.
Matthew walked out onto the terrace carrying two glasses of fresh lemonade. He set one down on the table beside Destiny, stepping up beside her chair.
"How are the midterms coming along, future Child Development Director?" Matthew asked with a warm, genuine smile.
"Passed my child psychology exam with an A," Destiny smiled, leaning back in her chair.
Matthew looked down at her, his gray eyes filled with a deep, profound gratitude that went far beyond words.
"Destiny," Matthew spoke softly, his voice thick with emotion. "Six months ago, I was ready to give up. I had millions of dollars, a massive company, and I was completely empty. You came into this house with an eight-dollar puppet and gave me my son back."
Destiny stood up, looking into his eyes. "Samuel gave himself back, Matthew. He just needed someone to listen to him."
Matthew reached out, taking her hand gently in his. "I don't ever want you to leave this house, Destiny. Not as a housekeeper. Not as an employee."
Destiny’s heart gave a soft, fluttering leap. "Matthew..."
"I love you, Destiny," Matthew confessed honestly, his voice steady and true. "Samuel loves you. You brought light back into a house that was dead."
Destiny looked out at the lawn where Samuel was waving at them, kicking the soccer ball high into the air.
May you like
She looked back at Matthew, a beautiful, radiant smile illuminating her face.
"I'm not going anywhere, Matthew," Destiny whispered, leaning in as Matthew pulled her gently into his arms, kissing her softly under the bright spring sun.
