Chapter 10 - The Sound of Home
Two weeks later.
The Oyster Bay estate was quiet, save for the gentle rustle of autumn leaves and the soft lapping of water against the edge of the indoor pool.
Dominic stood on the back terrace, holding a cup of black coffee. The morning sun broke through the clouds, warming his face.
He didn't need to swim underwater anymore to find peace.
Because for the first time in three years, the world was full of music.
Footsteps approached behind him. Light, hurried footsteps.
“Mr. Dominic!”
Dominic turned around.
Little Lily ran out onto the terrace, holding Captain in one hand and the silver pocket watch in the other. Behind her walked Rachel, carrying a tray of fresh pastries, smiling warmly.
“Hey, little one,” Dominic said. His voice was deep, smooth, and entirely natural.
Lily stopped in front of him, looking up with wide, curious gray eyes. She didn't use sign language today. Instead, she pointed at his ear, then pointed at her own, and smiled a bright, gap-toothed smile.
“You hear now,” Lily said proudly, her four-year-old voice clear as a bell.
Dominic crouched down, setting his coffee cup on the stone table. He reached out, gently patting her soft brown hair.
“Yes, Lily,” Dominic said, a genuine, warm smile finally breaking across his face—the first real smile he had worn since the day the world went dark. “I hear everything.”
Rachel stood nearby, her cheeks flushing slightly as she watched them. “I hope she’s not bothering you, Mr. Mercer.”
“Never,” Dominic said, standing up and looking from Rachel to the little girl who had given him his life back.
May you like
The silence was gone. The enemies were dealt with. And as the morning breeze carried the sound of laughter across the gardens, Dominic Mercer finally understood what the future sounded like.
It sounded like home.
