Chapter 17 - An Evening at Sterling Manor
The autumn wind whipped through the grand oak trees outside Sterling Manor, but inside, the expansive hearth in the west sitting room blazed with a fierce, warming orange flame.
Dinner had been a quiet, peaceful affair, free of rigid rules or fearful glances. Now, wrapped in a soft blanket on the plush velvet sofa, Caleb had finally drifted off to sleep, his thumb in his mouth and his arm locked tightly around his tattered brown rabbit.
Sophie sat cross-legged on the rug near Evan’s chair, reading aloud from an illustrated storybook while Evan listened intently, offering gentle corrections whenever she stumbled over a difficult word.
Grace stood near the tall French doors, looking out into the darkened gardens where the perimeter lights cast a safe, protective glow over the grounds.
“Marcus called from the Manhattan office,” Grace said quietly, turning back toward Evan as Sophie paused her reading. “The final asset transfers for the foundation have cleared. The first wave of funding goes out to regional child-advocacy shelters tomorrow morning.”
Evan nodded slowly, resting his hand on Sophie’s head as she looked up at him with curious eyes. “Good. Make sure our legal team audits every single recipient. I want to make sure the money actually reaches the children who need it, without interference.”
“Already handled,” Grace smiled softly.
Sophie looked between Evan and Grace, a thoughtful expression crossing her young face. “Are you staying for dinner tomorrow too, Grace?”
Grace paused, surprised by the genuine warmth in the little girl’s question. She looked at Evan, who offered a subtle, encouraging nod.
“I think,” Grace smiled, walking over to sit on the edge of the sofa, “I’m going to be staying right here for a very long time.”
May you like
Evan leaned back in his chair, watching the fire crackle against the stone hearth. The past months felt like a lifetime away—the fake beard, the mud on his boots, the eleven days of agonizing silence spent watching from the shadows.
He had gone undercover to save his children. But in the end, the house had saved him right back.
