Chapter 10 - One Thousand Cranes
Six months later.
The rain had stopped, replaced by the brilliant, golden light of a late spring morning. The gardens of Silver Ridge Manor were in full bloom, filled with white roses, lavender, and the sweet scent of pine.
Today was a celebration.
The adoption was final. Eliza’s name was officially changed to Eliza Wells. St. Catherine's had been closed down, its assets seized, and under Nathan’s funding, a brand-new, modern children’s center had been built in its place—named the Clara and Eliza Foundation.
Mrs. Pruitt had been sentenced to fifteen years in prison for child neglect and financial fraud.
But today, none of that mattered.
The backyard of the manor was decorated with paper cranes. Thousands of them, in every color imaginable, hung from the branches of the ancient oak trees, swaying gently in the warm breeze.
A large table was set up on the lawn, laden with fresh fruits, pastries, and baskets of warm, artisanal bread.
Sitting at the head of the table was an elderly woman with kind eyes and a peppermint scent—Sister Agnes. Nathan had tracked her down and hired her as the director of the new foundation.
"Look, Dad!" Eliza laughed, running across the lawn.
She was wearing a beautiful yellow sundress. Her hair was long and healthy, shining in the sun. She looked vibrant, full of life, and completely free of the shadows that had once haunted her.
Nathan walked out of the conservatory, carrying a final, golden paper crane. He walked over to her, kneeling down.
"This is the last one," Nathan said, handing it to her. "Number one thousand."
Eliza took the golden crane, her eyes bright with joy. She walked over to the giant oak tree in the center of the yard and hung it from a low branch, right next to a blue crane she had made on her first day.
She closed her eyes and made a wish.
"What did you wish for?" Nathan asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
Eliza turned and hugged him tightly around the neck. "I didn't wish for anything, Dad. My wish already came true."
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Nathan looked up at the sky, where the paper cranes danced in the warm wind. For the first time in a very long time, he felt Clara’s presence, not as a ghost of grief, but as a warm, protective spirit watching over them.
The rain had passed. The storm was over. And in the warmth of the sun, the billionaire and his daughter were finally home.
