Chapter 14 - The Coastal Sanctuary
We walked out the courthouse steps into bright sunshine.
Lily held my right arm, smiling brightly through tears.
Aunt Victoria walked beside us, holding our hands tightly.
Color, health, and full physical strength returned to us.
Our skin scars had faded under top medical treatment.
We purchased a beautiful two-story home near the ocean.
Surrounded by tall green trees and fresh sea breeze.
Far away from the toxic memories of past trauma.
Lily enrolled in a prestigious art academy downtown area.
I enrolled in a top university pre-med program.
I wanted to become an emergency trauma physician like Ruiz.
Every morning, Lily and I walked along sandy beach.
We watched the ocean waves crash against white rocks.
We felt a deep sense of peace inside hearts.
Our eighteenth birthday arrived with celebrations and joy.
Aunt Victoria baked a two-tiered chocolate birthday cake.
We blew out eighteen candles together, wishing for peace.
Everything seemed safe, secure, and perfectly complete now.
The dark shadow of Grant Mercer was gone forever.
Tonight was a quiet, warm evening in late summer.
The sunset painted the sky in shades pink gold.
Lily and I sat on the porch drinking tea.
A mail courier van pulled up to our driveway.
The driver stepped out, holding a brown paper package.
"Delivery for Ms. Emma and Lily Carter," driver called.
I walked down porch steps, signing the digital pad.
"Thank you," I said, taking the small box.
The cardboard package had no return address listed anywhere.
May you like
I walked back to the wooden porch table carefully.
I pulled open the brown sealing tape with fingers.
