Chapter 10 - The Departure
The sun began to peek over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the empty private beach.
There was no grand ballroom, no expensive catering, and absolutely no toxic family members present.
It was just me, the officiant, and the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the shore.
Lily walked down the sand in a simple white sundress, looking more beautiful and at peace than I had ever seen her.
Ryan met her at the makeshift altar, his eyes filled with absolute adoration.
They exchanged their vows quickly and quietly, sealing their promise just as the morning light fully broke the darkness.
I stood to the side, my duffel bag slung over my shoulder, feeling a profound sense of closure.
After the quick ceremony, Lily ran over and hugged me with a fierce, unbreakable grip.
“Thank you for giving me my life back, Nora,” she whispered into my ear.
“You are my sister, Lily. I will always protect you,” I replied, fighting back a rare tear.
Ryan stood a few feet away, snapped sharply to attention, and delivered a perfect, tearful salute.
I returned it with pride, turned on my heel, and walked away from the beach toward the waiting military transport vehicle.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly respected and deeply loved by the only family that mattered.
The roar of the C-17 transport plane was deafening as I strapped myself into the jump seat on the tarmac.
Once we were airborne, I opened the classified manila folder my father had handed me before takeoff.
May you like
My heart stopped as I stared at the primary target profile for my lethal extraction mission.
Smiling back at me from the surveillance photograph was my new brother-in-law, Ryan Walker.
