Chapter 5 - The Cottage on the CliffAt 4:00 P.M. the following afternoon, the heavy snowstorm over Lake Superior softened into a quiet, sunlit snowfall.
The black Maybach glided to a slow, silent stop at the edge of the long gravel driveway leading up to the timber cottage in Duluth.
I stepped out of the vehicle alone, wearing a dark wool coat and trousers—no bodyguards, no weapons, and no corporate armor. The freezing northern air smelled of salt, pine needles, and burning oak wood smoke curling from the stone chimney.
My leather boots crunched softly against the packed snow as I walked up the wooden porch steps.
Through the large, warm glass windows of the living room, I saw her.
Claire stood near a roaring stone fireplace, wearing an oversized cream knit sweater, her dark hair tied back in a loose, comfortable knot. She was swaying gently side to side, holding five-month-old Sophie against her shoulder, burping her softly after a feeding.
On a large, plush wool rug near the fire, sitting inside a wooden playpen surrounded by soft fleece toys, was Ethan. He was kicking his small legs happily, wearing a bright blue onesie, trying to reach a wooden rattle.
My chest tightened so hard I had to grip the wooden porch railing to keep my balance.
They were radiant. They were safe. They were warm.
Claire turned her head toward the window, her hazel eyes catching mine through the glass.
She didn't scream. She didn't drop the baby. She went completely rigid, her face going pale, her jaw setting into an absolute, unshakeable line of fierce maternal protection.
Dr. Elena Sterling stepped into the living room from the kitchen, holding a warm blanket. When she saw me standing on the porch, her eyes narrowed into sharp, cold slits. She reached for the landline phone on the counter.
Claire reached out, placing her hand gently over Elena’s arm, stopping her.
May you like
Claire looked back at me through the glass, taking a slow, deep breath, before pointing toward the side porch entrance.
I walked around the wooden deck, stopping near the heavy oak door as it swung open.
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