Chapter 15 - THE LAST NOTE AND THE HAPPY ENDINGThe moon hung high over the Chicago skyline, casting a silver glow across the DeLuca estate.
The wedding reception had finally drawn to a close.
The guests had all departed, leaving the grand ballroom quiet and peaceful.
Gabriel and I walked hand-in-hand through the French doors toward the grand piano where it had all started months ago.
The purple-butterfly hearing aids rested neatly on the piano lid.
And beside them was a small, neatly folded piece of pink paper.
I picked it up and unfolded it.
It was written in Sophie’s careful, neat handwriting.
Only three sentences.
“Thank you for staying, Hannah.”“Thank you for loving us, Daddy.”“Our family is complete now.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and handed the note to Gabriel.
He read it slowly, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me tight against his side.
“She’s right,” Gabriel murmured, kissing the top of my head.
“Our family is complete.”
We stood together by the window, looking out over the peaceful gardens, knowing that the shadows of the past were finally gone for good.
The silence between us wasn't heavy anymore.
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It was warm, safe, and filled with a future we had fought so hard to build.
THE END.
