Chapter 9 - The Final Stand
The estate in Lake Forest was surrounded by ten-foot stone walls and a private security detail equipped like a military unit.
For three days, we stayed inside the massive stone fortress while Stellan systematically hunted down every remaining loyalist tied to his mother’s faction. He didn't use intermediaries; he handled it himself, dismantling the last remnants of corruption within the Cross empire with cold, surgical precision.
On the fourth morning, the sun broke through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the frozen lake.
Stellan walked into the sunroom where I was sitting with Fern, who was taking her first hesitant steps across the plush Persian rug, squeaking with delight as Stellan knelt down to catch her in his arms.
"It's over, Nora," Stellan said, looking up at me with a tired yet deeply peaceful smile. "Every last one of them has been neutralized. The board has ratified the new charter. Lily is officially the sole heir to the entire trust, and no one can ever challenge it."
I let out a breath I felt like I'd been holding for a week. I walked over to them, kneeling beside Stellan and my daughter.
"Are you safe now?" I asked softly, my fingers brushing against the faint scar on his cheek.
May you like
"I am," Stellan caught my hand, turning it over to press a warm kiss to my palm. "Because I have you two. You are my home, Nora."
Fern suddenly giggled, clapping her hands together and throwing herself into both of our arms, trapping us in a clumsy, beautiful embrace.
