Chapter 6 - The Promise in the GardenLily and Emma ran across the green lawn, their yellow sun dresses catching the breeze as they chased a golden retriever puppy Adrian had given them for their seventh birthday.
"Claire! Daddy! Look!" Lily giggled happily, holding up a small bouquet of yellow sunflowers she had picked from the garden. "We made a crown for the foxes!"
"A crown for the foxes behind the winter stars!" Emma added, running up to wrap her small arms around my knees.
I knelt down on the soft grass, taking the flower crown from Lily’s hands, placing it gently on her head before pulling both girls into a warm, fierce hug.
"It's the most beautiful crown in the world, sweethearts," I smiled warmly, kissing both of their cheeks.
Adrian knelt beside us on the lawn, his broad arm wrapping securely around all three of us, holding us tight against his beating heart under the open, sunlit sky.
Leo—who now served as the chief security director for the family trust—stepped up to the edge of the patio carrying a silver tray holding two glasses of vintage champagne.
"For Don Adrian and Donna Claire," Leo smiled warmly, offering a respectful bow before stepping back into the house.
Adrian picked up the crystal glasses, handing one to me, clinking his glass gently against mine under the warm afternoon sun.
"To the woman who brought light back to this house," Adrian toasted softly, his storm-gray eyes fixed entirely on my face.
May you like
"To the father who protected his daughters," I smiled back, taking a slow sip of the rich, sweet champagne.
The girls giggled, running back to play with the puppy near the fountain, their silver voices floating happily across the peaceful grounds.
