Chapter 27 - The Spring Reckoning
By noon, the federal seizure notices were officially posted on the front gates of Sterling Manor, and the title deeds to our home and all unencumbered family assets were restored to Calder’s name, free and clear of any legal encumbrance.
The air in our living room felt lighter than it had in years. The lingering shadows that had haunted our halls since Christmas Eve seemed to have evaporated with the morning mist.
Hazel was sitting on the living room rug, happily coloring in a new picture book while Tessa sat cross-legged beside her, helping her pick out the right crayons.
"I still can't believe Vance rolled over that fast," Tessa laughed, handing Hazel a bright yellow crayon. "One hour in an interrogation room with federal prosecutors and he gave up every offshore account Eleanor owned."
"Greedy people always fold when they realize prison time is longer than their bank accounts," Calder said, walking into the living room carrying a tray of fresh lemonade. He set it on the coffee table and sat down beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.
I leaned my head against his chest, feeling the steady, powerful rhythm of his heartbeat. "It’s really over, isn't it?" I murmured, looking out the bay window at the brilliant green lawn and the blooming spring flowers. "No more lawyers. No more threats. No more hiding."
"It’s over," Calder whispered, pressing a tender kiss into my hair. "We won, Maeve. We survived everything they threw at us."
Just then, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I picked it up, expecting another update from U.S. Attorney Harrison’s office. Instead, it was an automated notification from the local hospital’s maternity ward, reminding us of our scheduled prenatal check-up for tomorrow afternoon.
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Calder saw the screen and smiled softly, his hand dropping down to rest gently against my swollen stomach. "Our little girl is going to be born into a world where she never has to know what it means to be afraid," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"She’ll know strength," Tessa added, looking up from her coloring book with a proud grin. "She’ll know that her parents are the toughest fighters in the entire state of Washington."
