Chapter 4 - Echoes of the Past
The morning sun broke through the gray clouds, casting long golden light across the marble floor of the grand ballroom.
Julian returned to the mansion, his coat damp with snow. He walked slowly through the grand hallway toward the guest wing, where Nora and Lily had been moved to a warm, sunlit suite overlooking the gardens.
He knocked gently on the door. Nora opened it, looking weary but relieved to see him alive.
"Where is Thomas?" she asked quietly.
"He's in federal custody," Julian replied. "He will never hurt anyone again."
Nora let out a long breath, leaning against the doorframe. "And Miss Vale?"
"She woke up an hour ago," Julian said. "The doctors say she will make a full recovery. I'm heading to the hospital now to talk to her."
He looked past Nora into the room. Lily was sitting on a plush rug near the fireplace, humming the waltz from the previous night while using a silver spoon to feed her stuffed rabbit.
Julian felt a lump form in his throat. He stepped into the room and crouched down near the rug. Lily looked up at him with her large, clear green eyes.
"Are you the boss man?" Lily asked innocently.
Julian offered a soft, hesitant smile—a smile his security team had never seen before. "My name is Julian."
Lily looked at his expensive suit, then at his hands. "You look sad. Like the shiny lady did before she fell down."
"I was sad for a long time, Lily," Julian admitted, his voice thick with emotion. "Because I lost someone very special to me."
"My mama Claire?" Lily asked softly.
Julian nodded. "Yes. Your mama Claire."
Lily reached out with her small hand and touched Julian’s sleeve. "She told me in the video that if I ever met you, I should give you a hug. She said you have a big heart, but it gets frozen sometimes."
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Julian didn't care about the suit, his reputation, or his pride. He sat down on the floor, wrapped his arms around the tiny child, and pulled her against his chest. Lily wrapped her small arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder.
Nora stood by the fireplace, tears silent on her cheeks, as she watched the last DeLuca finally weep for the woman he had lost—and hold the daughter he had found.
