Chapter 10 - The Ribbon Tied
Three months later, the sun shone brightly over a quiet, peaceful coastal town.
The horrifying truth about Julian Sterling’s criminal empire had completely shocked the entire world.
His corrupt politicians were arrested, and his illegal facilities were permanently shut down.
Maya was finally legally recognized as a living citizen after seven agonizing years as a ghost.
She retained full custody of Leo and inherited the legitimate half of the Sterling fortune.
They bought a beautiful white house on a cliff overlooking the calm, blue ocean.
Claire moved in with them, refusing to ever be separated from her twin sister again.
The sisters sat comfortably on the wooden porch, drinking iced tea in the warm afternoon breeze.
Leo was running barefoot through the green grass, completely happy and free.
He was flying a bright red kite, laughing loudly as it danced in the clear sky.
"It feels like a dream," Maya whispered, leaning her head against Claire's shoulder.
"It is not a dream, Maya, we finally made it home," Claire smiled softly.
The horrific memories of the black vans, the gunfire, and the sinking yacht were slowly fading away.
They had their family back, and they had a long, beautiful future ahead of them.
Claire stood up from her rocking chair and stretched her arms.
"I am going to grab some more lemonade from the kitchen, do you want some?" Claire asked.
Maya shook her head and closed her eyes, soaking in the warm sunlight.
Claire walked into the quiet, pristine kitchen and opened the refrigerator door.
As she poured the cold drink, she noticed a strange piece of mail sitting on the kitchen island.
It was a thick, entirely black envelope with no return address or stamp on it.
Claire put the glass down and picked up the mysterious envelope with trembling hands.
She slid her fingernail under the flap and pulled out the contents.
Inside was a brand new, perfectly pristine blue ribbon.
May you like
Attached to the ribbon was a handwritten note in dark red ink.
The note read: "You drowned the wrong man, see you soon."
