Chapter 7 - REUNION AT DAWN
The rain finally stopped as the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of gold and amber.
At Blackwood Manor, a long black limousine pulled up to the grand front entrance.
Mave ran down the stone steps before the driver could even open the door.
The passenger door swung open, and a tall, thin young man with messy brown hair and a worn canvas backpack stepped out. He looked confused, tired, but completely unharmed.
"Mave?" Julian gasped.
"Julian!" Mave cried, throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him so tightly she could barely breathe.
Julian wrapped his arms around his sister, holding her close. "Mave... what is going on? Some men came to my dorm yesterday, put me in a car, and flew me here on a private jet! They said you were in danger... but look at this place! What is happening?"
Mave pulled back, looking at her brother’s face. He looked healthy, well-fed, his eyes filled with the bright optimism of a student who had been protected from the brutal reality of her life for four long years.
"I'm sorry, Julian," Mave sobbed, wiping her eyes. "I'm so sorry I lied to you. I don't have a workshop in Portland. I lost it... I lost everything."
Julian’s brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "What are you talking about? You sent me money every month for tuition... you sent me notes about your instruments..."
"She gave up her entire life so you could have yours, Julian," a voice spoke from the top of the stone steps.
Mave and Julian turned.
August stood at the top of the stairs. His suit jacket was gone, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing dark bruises on his forearms. He looked exhausted, but his posture remained erect, powerful, and calm.
Julian looked at August, then at Mave. "Who is he?"
"He is..." Mave hesitated, looking up at August. "He is the man who saved us."
August walked down the steps slowly, stopping a few feet from Julian. He extended his hand.
"My name is August Farley," he said. "Your sister is the most remarkable woman I have ever met. She lived in the dark for four years so you could stand in the light."
Julian looked at his sister, the realization slowly washing over him. Tears filled the young man’s eyes as he looked at Mave’s worn shoes and scarred hands.
"Mave..." Julian choked out. "You... you were living on the streets?"
"It doesn't matter now," Mave said softly, taking Julian’s hand. "It's over. It's all over."
August looked at them both, then stepped back to give them space. "Clara has prepared breakfast inside. Eat, rest. You are safe here for as long as you need."
"Mr. Farley," Julian said, calling out as August turned to go inside. "How can we ever repay you?"
May you like
August paused on the steps. He looked back at Mave, his dark eyes softening in a way that made Mave’s heart skip a beat.
"Your sister already paid me," August said softly. "She reminded me why I survived."
