Chapter 6 - THE GUARDIAN OF THE ESTATE
Two weeks after the legal storm dismantled Marcus Sterling’s corrupt network, peace returned to the Marino estate.
Marcus was held without bail at a maximum-security federal facility, facing multiple life sentences as federal prosecutors unearthed decades of financial crimes, extortion, and cold-blooded hit contracts.
At the estate, the gray, cold atmosphere that had hung over the grounds for eight years was completely gone.
The grand dining room, which had sat empty since Audrey’s death, was bright and full of life. Golden sunlight streamed through the French doors, illuminating a long oak table covered with platters of fresh pancakes, fruit, and hot cocoa.
Sitting at the head of the table was Caleb. He no longer used his wheelchair, though he kept his silver-topped cane leaning against his chair for long walks.
Sitting across from him were Elena, Leo, and Lily.
Elena was dressed in a comfortable beige sweater and slacks, looking healthier, her face free of the crushing fear that had plagued her for years. Leo was happily devouring a stack of blueberry pancakes, while Lily was busy trying to balance a strawberry on her nose.
"Lily, stop playing with your food," Elena scolded gently, though a warm smile tugged at her lips.
"It’s an artistic demonstration, Mum!" Lily protested, dropping the strawberry onto her plate and giggling. "Mister Caleb likes art! Don't you, Mister Angry Statue?"
"I like art that doesn't stain my silk tablecloths," Caleb replied dryly, though his dark eyes held an unmistakable sparkle of warmth.
Caleb set his coffee cup down and looked at Elena.
"I had my legal team finalize the paperwork yesterday, Elena," Caleb said, his voice turning serious. "The lease on the private four-bedroom townhouse in Brookline has been signed in your name. The trust fund for Leo and Lily’s private school education and university tuition is fully capitalized."
Elena froze, setting her fork down. Her eyes filled with quiet tears. "Caleb... we talked about this. You’ve already done so much for us. You cleared Thomas’s name, you saved us from Marcus... I can't accept a townhouse and a trust fund."
"You aren't accepting a gift, Elena," Caleb said firmly, leaning forward. "You are receiving restitution. Your husband was used and murdered by a man operating under my company’s banner. It is my duty to ensure his family is taken care of forever."
He paused, looking at Lily, who was now using her spoon as a microphone.
"Besides," Caleb added with a rare, genuine smile, "if Lily leaves this estate permanently, who is going to keep my winter garden from turning back into a tomb?"
Lily gasped, sticking her spoon in the air. "Does that mean I get to dance in the garden whenever I want?!"
"Under one condition," Caleb bargained, raising a single finger. "You never play that 1970s funk song ever again."
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"Deal!" Lily yelled, hopping out of her chair and running around the table to throw her small arms around Caleb’s waist.
Caleb hesitated for a fraction of a second—unaccustomed to physical affection after eight years of isolation—before slowly wrapping his arms around the child, holding her tightly against his side.
