Chapter 18 - The True Legacy|
Three days later, the Cook County Family Court officially dismissed all petitions against me with prejudice.
The judge issued a glowing statement commending the security and care provided at the Lake Forest estate, while Victoria's assets were frozen pending her federal trial.
The rain had cleared, leaving behind a crisp, golden autumn afternoon in Lake Forest.
I stood on the back patio of the estate, watching Rosa and Emma lay out a large blanket on the grass. Noah, Liam, and Grace were crawling around, giggling as they reached for falling yellow leaves.
Daniel walked up beside me, handing me a glass of iced tea.
"Security system has been completely overhauled," Daniel reported with a slight smile. "New standalone offline servers, zero external access, and a brand-new internal team verified personally by me."
"Thank you, Daniel," I said, taking a sip. "For everything."
"You fought for your family, Ethan," Daniel said softly. "Claire would be proud of you."
May you like
I looked down at my hands, feeling the light breeze sweep across the lawn. For eight months, I had viewed this estate as a fortress built to keep death at bay. I had surrounded my children with stone walls, armed guards, and surveillance cameras, treating them like precious cargo under constant threat.
I realized now that a fortress built on fear is just another prison.
