Chapter 10
Leo’s fifth birthday party was the biggest, most chaotic, most perfect party Miami had ever seen.
We held it in the backyard of the estate.
There was a bounce house, a water slide, a petting zoo with baby goats and lambs, a magician who made balloon animals, and a dinosaur-themed cake taller than Leo.
All his friends from school were there.
Rosa, Marco, James and the whole security team.
Mr. Hale and his wife and grandkids.
All the women and kids from the shelter who’d become our friends over the past year.
Over 100 people, all laughing, all eating, all celebrating my amazing little boy.
Leo ran around in a T-Rex costume, roaring at everyone, his face covered in cake frosting.
He’d already opened so many presents—more dinosaurs, art supplies, a new bike, a soccer ball signed by his favorite player—that they were piled up in a corner of the yard.
Every time he opened a new one, he’d yell, “This is the best day EVER!”
I laughed, watching him, my heart so full it felt like it might burst.
Mid-party, Mr. Hale pulled me aside.
He was holding a small leather box, his face soft.
“I have something for you,” he said, handing me the box.
I opened it.
Inside was a small silver key on a chain.
I looked up at him, confused.
“What is this?”
He smiled.
“Your father bought a small piece of property up in the mountains, outside Aspen, right before he died. He was gonna fix it up, turn it into a family cabin. He never got the chance. I had the team finish it this year. It’s all ready. Four bedrooms, a big fireplace, a lake out front where you can go fishing in the summer and sledding in the winter. It’s for you and Leo. For whenever you need to get away. For whenever you want to make new memories.”
I cried, throwing my arms around him.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Thank you so much.”
He hugged me back, patting my back.
“Your dad would be so proud of you, Clara. So proud of the woman you’ve become. Of the mother you are. He’s watching over you. Both of you.”
Later that night, after all the guests had left, after Leo had crashed from his sugar high and fallen asleep in his bed surrounded by his new toys, I walked down to the beach.
The moon was full, casting a silver path across the water.
The waves crashed soft and steady against the shore.
I sat down in the sand, pulling my knees to my chest, and just breathed.
I thought about where I’d been a year ago.
Crumpled on a kitchen floor, bleeding, thinking I was going to die.
Thinking my son was going to die.
And now here I was.
Running a billion-dollar company.
Helping hundreds of women and children.
Raising the most amazing little boy in the world.
Surrounded by people who loved me.
I was safe.
I was loved.
I was confident.
I was home.
A soft sound behind me made me turn.
Leo was standing there, rubbing his eyes, holding his favorite T-Rex.
“Mommy?” he said, his voice sleepy.
“What are you doing out here?”
I smiled, opening my arms.
“Just thinking, baby. Come here.”
He ran over, climbing into my lap, snuggling against my chest.
We sat there for a long time, quiet, watching the waves.
Then Leo looked up at me, his big brown eyes shining in the moonlight.
“Mommy?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“Are we ever gonna be scared again?”
I kissed his forehead, smoothing his hair back from his face.
I thought about David and Helen, rotting in prison, never getting out.
I thought about James and the security team, always watching, always protecting us.
I thought about all the people who loved us, who would never let anything happen to us.
I thought about how strong I’d become.
How strong Leo was.
I smiled, holding him tighter.
“No, baby,” I said, my voice soft and sure.
“We’re never gonna be scared again. Ever. We’re safe. We’re loved. And nothing bad is ever gonna happen to us again. I promise.”
Leo smiled, snuggling back into my chest, his eyes closing.
“Good,” he mumbled, half-asleep.
“‘Cause I like being happy.”
I laughed, kissing the top of his head.
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
I held him, listening to the waves, watching the moon rise higher in the sky.
For the first time in my life, I had everything I’d ever wanted.
Everything I’d ever needed.
My son.
My family.
My freedom.
And a whole future full of happy days ahead.
It was perfect.
May you like
We were perfect.
And this was only the beginning.
