Chapter 10 - A Golden Horizon
One year later.
The late afternoon sun washed over the backyard of 442 Whispering Pines Way. The garden was blooming with vibrant hydrangeas, lavender, and sweet-smelling jasmine that Mom and I had planted together during the spring.
The patio table was set with fine porcelain plates, fresh lemonade, and a giant baked peach cobbler—made from the very peaches Mom had brought over on that stormy night a year ago.
I stood by the glass sliding doors, watching Mom laugh as she talked with our neighbor, Mrs. Gable. Mom looked five years younger. The lines of stress and anxiety had vanished from her face, replaced by a deep, glowing sense of peace and security.
My phone chimed on the counter. It was a notification from my bank.
Direct Deposit Received: $180,000 Restitution Payment (Ethan Vance Liquidated Assets Estate).
I smiled, closing the notification. Every penny of my mother’s money had officially been recovered.
Sarah Lin walked out onto the patio, holding two glasses of chilled white wine. She handed one to me and clinked her glass against mine.
"To justice," Sarah grinned. "And to the best financial compliance officer I know."
"To new beginnings," I replied, taking a sip.
My mother looked up from the table, waving at me to come join them. "Elena! Come sit down! The cobbler is getting cold!"
May you like
"Coming, Mom!" I called out.
I walked out onto the porch—our porch. The house was filled with warmth, love, and true family. No one was standing out in the rain anymore. We were finally home.
