Chapter 8 - Healing and New Beginnings
By late afternoon, the corporate restructuring was complete. The board had unanimously voted to ratify my position as Chairwoman of Callahan Enterprises, and the illegal accounts had been frozen and redirected into charitable foundations and employee support funds.
When Benjamin and I returned to the Pine Valley estate, the sun was breaking through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the manicured lawns.
Grace, Abigail, Samuel, David, and little Sophie were playing tag in the backyard, their joyful laughter echoing across the grass. Sophie, now completely recovered from her fever, was running clumsily behind her older brothers, clutching a small yellow toy truck.
I walked out onto the back veranda and leaned against the white balustrade, taking a deep breath of the fresh, clean air.
Margaret and Patrick were visible down near the stables, carrying two small grocery bags toward the modest guest cottage. They looked ordinary now—no expensive furs, no flashing jewelry, just two elderly people facing the reality of their own cold choices. They looked up once, catching my eye across the lawn. I didn't gloat or wave; I simply gave them a calm, dignified nod before turning back to my children.
A few minutes later, Benjamin walked up beside me, handing me a warm cup of herbal tea just like his father used to do.
"Mom," he said quietly, looking out at his brothers and sisters playing in the yard. "Do you think Dad is watching?"
May you like
I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, pulling him close against my side.
"Every single day, Ben," I smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Every single day."
