Chapter 17 - BEGINNING AGAIN
Months passed. Seasons changed. The house on the hill filled with laughter once more. Claire officially became my legal guardian alongside my father—Adrian formally adopted me, legally and forever, making our bond official and unbreakable.
We visited Elena’s grave together on the anniversary of her death. I placed flowers there and read her the letter I had written. I told her she was safe. That her killer was in prison. That I was loved. That I was happy.
My father placed his hand on her headstone. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “For giving her everything. For loving her. For protecting her. She is my daughter now. And I will keep her safe for the rest of my life.”
