Chapter 7 - Unbroken and Forever HomeAt 7:00 PM, as the spring sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky over Lake Michigan in brilliant shades of gold, rose, and sapphire, the terrace was illuminated by dozens of soft, twinkling fairy lights.
I stood near the edge of the stone balcony, holding a warm cup of tea, looking out at the vast, dark, beautiful water stretching before us into the unbroken horizon.
Alexander walked over, standing beside me, holding two glasses of fine champagne. He handed one to me with a quiet, respectful smile.
"We did good, Elena," Alexander said softly, his deep baritone carrying smooth and warm across the quiet night.
I looked at him—seeing no longer the distant ex-husband of ten years ago, but the man who had stood up to protect our daughter when she needed him most.
"We did, Alexander," I answered warmly, clinking my glass against his. "Thank you for coming back."
Sofia walked over, sliding her arms around both of our waists, resting her head against Alexander’s shoulder, looking out at the sparkling lights of the Chicago skyline in the distance.
There were no forty slaps in dark hotel rooms. There were no predatory mother-in-laws demanding deeds. There were no tears swallowed in dark apartments.
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The quiet, defenseless bride was dead forever. The sovereign woman had claimed her throne.
And standing under the vast, unbroken sky, wrapped in the arms of her mother and her father, Sofia knew that her life, her freedom, and her future were finally, beautifully, and forever safe.
