Chapter 9
Victoria was sentenced two weeks later.
Fifteen years to life in state prison.
No parole.
The judge called her actions “vicious, calculated, and utterly without remorse.”
He said Lila’s bravery had saved Eleanor’s life. And that Victoria belonged behind bars for a very, very long time.
We walked out of the courthouse that day into the bright, warm sun.
Reporters swarmed us, asking questions. Shouting for comments.
Nathaniel put his arm around me, his other hand on Lila’s shoulder. Eleanor sat in her wheelchair between us, smiling.
“No comment,” Nathaniel said, gently guiding us through the crowd. “We just want to go home.”
Home.
That word sounded so good.
We drove back to the estate. The gates opened for us. The security guards waved.
For the first time in months, I didn’t feel that tight knot of fear in my stomach.
I felt light. Free.
That night, we had a small celebration dinner in the dining room.
The cook made Lila’s favorite: spaghetti and meatballs with extra cheese.
We opened a bottle of sparkling apple juice for Lila and Eleanor, and wine for Nathaniel and me.
We raised our glasses.
“To Lila,” Nathaniel said, smiling at her. “The bravest girl in the whole world.”
“To Lila!” we all cheered.
Lila grinned, her cheeks pink.
“To Grandma Eleanor,” she said, raising her glass. “For getting better.”
“To Grandma Eleanor!”
“To Clara,” Eleanor said, looking at me, her eyes warm. “For being the daughter I always wanted.”
Tears stung my eyes.
“To Clara!”
I wiped my eyes, laughing.
“To all of us,” I said. “To family.”
“To family!”
After dinner, Lila fell asleep on the couch, her head in Eleanor’s lap, her unicorn tucked under her arm.
Nathaniel carried her up to bed.
When he came back down, he found me on the back porch, looking out at the garden.
He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he said.
I smiled, leaning back against him.
“Just thinking,” I said. “About how lucky we are. A few months ago, I was just a maid trying to keep my daughter fed and healthy. And now… I have all of this. You. Eleanor. Lila is safe. Happy. I never thought I could have this.”
Nathaniel turned me around in his arms. He took my left hand in his.
Then he got down on one knee.
My breath caught.
He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. He opened it.
Inside was a simple, beautiful diamond ring.
“Clara Bennett,” he said, his voice soft but steady. “I love you. I love Lila like she was my own. My mom loves you both more than anything. We want you to be part of this family. Forever. Will you marry me?”
I stared at him, tears running down my face.
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Yes,” I whispered. “A thousand times yes.”
He slipped the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly.
He stood up and kissed me, slow and sweet, under the stars.
Through the kitchen window, I saw Eleanor watching us, smiling, wiping a tear off her cheek.
May you like
Everything was perfect.
But I knew the best was yet to come.
