Chapter 10 - At 12:43 A.M.
One year later.
The grandfather clock in the main hall of the Orsini estate chimed midnight.
Rain drummed softly against the glass windows of the master bedroom suite on the third floor—a gentle, soothing rain that carried the fresh scent of the ocean.
Inside the spacious room, a grand four-poster bed was bathed in the warm glow of a small bedside lamp.
Raphael sat against the headboard, a book resting closed in his lap. On his chest lay Josephine, fast asleep, wrapped in a silk robe, her breath soft and rhythmic against his neck. Her wedding ring—a brilliant, rare yellow diamond surrounded by platinum—glinted in the dim light.
Through the baby monitor resting on the nightstand, the quiet, peaceful sounds of a nursery down the hall echoed softly. Three months ago, Josephine had given birth to a healthy baby girl—Clara Hartley Orsini. Downstairs in his own room, nine-year-old Wyatt was fast asleep, having spent the afternoon playing soccer in the courtyard.
Raphael looked at the digital clock on the nightstand.
The numbers shifted: 12:43 A.M.
Eleven years ago, that exact minute had been the beginning of his nightmare.
One year ago, that exact minute had brought a crying maid in a crooked name pin to his door.
Tonight, at 12:43 A.M., Raphael looked down at his wife sleeping peacefully in his arms, listened to the soft breathing of his newborn daughter through the monitor, and felt a deep, overwhelming peace fill every corner of his heart.
Josephine stirred slightly in her sleep, shifting her weight, her hand reaching up to rest over his heart.
"Raphael?" she murmured sleepily, her eyes half-open.
"I'm here, my love," Raphael whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead gently.
"What time is it?" she asked softly.
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Raphael looked at the clock, a warm, genuine smile breaking across his handsome face.
"It’s 12:43," Raphael said gently, pulling the soft blankets over her shoulders and holding her tight against his chest. "It’s 12:43... and everything is perfect."
