Chapter 10 - The Family We Choose
Federal rescue divers quickly pulled Eleanor and the two shivering boys from the freezing harbor.
They were immediately wrapped in thick thermal blankets and loaded into a warm, heavily guarded ambulance.
The nightmare was finally, completely over, and the corrupt men who had orchestrated it were locked safely away in federal prison.
A few months later, the sprawling Sterling estate looked entirely different, filled with bright sunlight and the sounds of genuine laughter.
Eleanor had officially, legally adopted Julian, ensuring he would never have to worry about his dark origins again.
Leo had completely blossomed in his new environment, discovering a brilliant, natural talent for playing the grand piano.
The two boys had become completely inseparable brothers, fiercely protective of each other and their mother.
Eleanor sat on the warm patio, watching her two sons play chess in the massive, blossoming garden.
The immense wealth of the Sterling trust was finally secure, and Eleanor was using it to fund shelters for street children across the entire city.
She felt a deep, profound sense of peace knowing her family was perfectly whole and absolutely safe from harm.
Maria, the loyal maid who had stood by them through the chaos, walked out holding a silver tray with the morning mail.
She quietly handed Eleanor a thick, unmarked envelope made of expensive parchment paper that had been left at the front gates.
Eleanor smiled and opened it, expecting a standard invitation to a charity gala or a business proposal.
Instead, she pulled out a single photograph of Julian walking home from his private school just yesterday.
May you like
Written on the back in elegant, terrifyingly familiar cursive were words that made her heart completely stop.
The note simply said that a mother always comes back to collect what was stolen from her.
