Chapter 15
Elodie rushed forward, completely disregarding the boundaries of employer and employee. She wrapped her arms around Soren’s neck, carefully avoiding the sleeping infant, burying her face in the crook of his shoulder. She wept openly, the profound relief shattering her formidable composure.
"I was so terrified," Elodie sobbed, clinging to his crisp white shirt.
Soren wrapped his free arm around her waist, pulling her securely against him. He rested his chin on the top of her head, the cold, sociopathic mask melting entirely. "The monsters are dead, Elodie," he murmured, his deep voice vibrating against her chest. "The borders are secure."
Alice, who had been sleeping in the massive bed, woke up at the sound of the voices. She scrambled out from under the heavy duvet, her pale-blue party dress wrinkled, and ran across the plush rug.
"Daddy! Theo!" Alice cheered, throwing her arms around Soren's legs.
Soren knelt down carefully, balancing the sleeping baby and holding his daughter tightly. Elodie knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around the entire family, creating a protective circle in the center of the luxurious room.
They remained on the floor for a long time, bathed in the soft, golden light of the suite. The violence of the outside world was entirely locked away, replaced by the overwhelming, profound peace of a family reunited.
Later that morning, the estate had been meticulously scrubbed by the loyal staff. The bright, cinematic sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the grand dining hall, illuminating the pristine white marble.
Soren sat at the head of the polished walnut table, dressed in a fresh, tailored charcoal suit. His movie-star handsome face was relaxed, the heavy burden of the war washed away.
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To his right sat Alice, happily eating a plate of pancakes. In the center of the table, safely secured in a high-tech bassinet, Theo slept peacefully.
And sitting to Soren's left, in the seat of honor previously reserved for Camilla, was Elodie.
