Chapter 10 - The Horizon
The sun began to set over Lake Forest, painting the sky in brilliant strokes of purple, orange, and gold.
The guests from the birthday party had departed, leaving the estate quiet and peaceful.
I walked down to the edge of the lakefront terrace, holding Hazel on my hip. She leaned her head against my neck, her small thumb tucked into her mouth as she watched the soft waves crash against the stone retaining wall.
Sarah Thorne walked down the stone path, joining us on the terrace.
"The board meeting is set for nine tomorrow morning, Genevieve," Sarah said gently, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders against the cool lake breeze. "Are you ready?"
I looked down at my daughter, feeling her small, steady heartbeat against my ribs. I looked out at the vast, open horizon of the lake, stretching out as far as the eye could see—unbroken, powerful, and endless.
"I’ve been ready for a long time, Sarah," I said, a soft, radiant smile lighting up my face.
They had thought I was weak because I was lying in a hospital bed.
They had thought I was helpless because my legs couldn't move.
They had thought they could tear down everything my family had built and leave me with nothing.
May you like
But they had forgotten one simple, undeniable truth: an empire isn't made of bricks, money, or legal deeds. An empire is built of courage, truth, and a mother's fierce, unconditional love.
I kissed the top of Hazel’s head, pulled her close against my chest, and walked back up toward the warm, glowing lights of my home.
