Chapter 10 - The True Home
An hour later, the house was silent again. The police cars were gone, their flashing red and blue lights fading from the wet trees outside.
I walked up the grand staircase to the girls’ wing. The door to Lily’s room was cracked open, a warm light spilling onto the carpet. Inside, Lily and Grace were sitting on the bed, wrapped in their favorite blankets, while Mrs. Gable sat at the foot, holding a tray of warm cookies.
When I stepped into the room, my daughters didn't flinch. They didn't drop their chins.
They threw their blankets off and sprinted across the room, their small arms wrapping around my waist so tightly I could barely breathe. I dropped to my knees, pulling them against my chest, burying my face in their hair as the tears I had held back all day finally spilled over.
"You didn't go to Europe, Daddy?" Grace whispered against my shoulder.
"No, sweetheart," I said, kissing the top of her head. "I'm never leaving again without you. Never."
I looked up at Mrs. Gable, who was watching us with a quiet, peaceful smile.
"Martha," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "Your contract is being rewritten tomorrow. You're not the housekeeper anymore. You’re the estate director. And you have a home here for as long as you live."
May you like
The old woman nodded, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Mr. Arthur. I’m just glad the nightmare is over."
I looked down at my daughters, their small hands holding onto my shirt like I was the only thing that mattered in the world. The mansion around us was massive, expensive, and filled with beautiful things, but as I sat there on the floor with my family, I knew it wasn't the walls that made it safe. It was the truth. And the monster would never be allowed back inside.
