Chapter 10 - Beyond the Walls
The flight to Paris was smooth, cutting effortlessly through the sea of clouds high above the Atlantic Ocean.
Sitting side by side in the spacious first-class cabin, Claire watched through the oval window as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of violet, orange, and deep indigo. The constant, gnawing anxiety that had defined every waking moment of her youth was gone, replaced by a quiet, unshakable peace.
She turned her head, looking over at Ethan, who was reviewing architectural blueprints for the expansion of the Briar Glen foundation on his tablet.
“You know,” Claire said softly, breaking the quiet hum of the cabin engines, “when you broke down my door that night, I thought you were just another nightmare.”
Ethan lowered his tablet, turning his head to look at her, a gentle, understanding smile touching the corners of his mouth.
“And what do you think now?” he asked.
Claire reached across the armrest, her fingers lightly brushing against his hand.
“Now,” she whispered, leaning back into the comfortable leather seat as the lights of the European coastline began to sparkle in the distance below, “I think you were the best storm that ever hit my life.”
May you like
Ethan turned his hand over, interlocking his fingers securely with hers, holding fast against whatever uncertainties the future might hold.
The girl behind the wall was gone. In her place stood a woman who owned her past, commanded her present, and walked bravely toward a tomorrow she had built with her own hands.
