Chapter 5 - Sanctuary
The carriage house on the North Side of Chicago was a charming, historic brick building nestled behind a canopy of ancient oaks. The rain that had fallen earlier in the week had left the cobblestone path slick and shining under the amber glow of the streetlights.
A black luxury sedan pulled up quietly to the curb.
Ethan stepped out into the crisp evening air, holding a small paper bag from a local bakery. He walked up the wooden steps of the porch and knocked softly on the door.
A moment later, the lock clicked.
Maya opened the door. She looked surprised, wearing an oversized knit sweater and leggings, her hair falling loose around her shoulders.
“Ethan?” she asked, stepping back to let him in. “What are you doing here? Is something wrong with your father?”
“My father is fine,” Ethan said, stepping into the warm, cozy entryway that smelled faintly of cinnamon and baby powder. He set the bakery bag down on the small console table. “And the board has been neutralized. Meridian Holdings has been dissolved, and the property deed to this carriage house has been transferred directly into your name in perpetuity. No one will ever bother you here again.”
Maya stared at him, her eyes wide. “You... you went to war with your own board?”
“They crossed a line,” Ethan said simply. He unbuttoned his coat and dropped it over the back of a vintage armchair. “More importantly, I came to see my son.”
Maya’s expression softened, a mixture of awe and residual caution lingering in her features. She turned and walked down the short hallway toward the nursery. Ethan followed close behind, his boots silent on the hardwood floor.
The nursery was painted a soft, soothing sage green, decorated with hand-painted animal prints and shelves stacked with children's books. In the center of the room stood a white wooden crib.
Leo was awake.
He was sitting up, clutching a stuffed plush bear in one chubby hand, chewing happily on the corner of it. When he heard footsteps, he turned his head.
Those gray-green eyes locked onto Ethan.
Ethan felt his breath catch. He walked slowly to the side of the crib, gripping the wooden railing with hands that were suddenly trembling.
Leo dropped the bear, stood up by holding onto the crib rail with wobbling knees, and reached his small hands out toward Ethan’s face—exactly the way he had reached for the silver tie clip at the hospital.
“Can I... can I hold him?” Ethan asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Maya walked up beside him, her shoulder brushing against his arm. She didn't speak; she simply reached into the crib, scooped up the baby, and transferred him directly into Ethan’s waiting arms.
Leo was heavier than Ethan expected, warm and smelling of baby shampoo and sweet milk. The infant blinked up at him, let out a tiny gurgle of curiosity, and instantly grabbed a fistful of Ethan’s silk tie, pulling on it with surprising strength.
A rare, genuine smile broke across Ethan’s face—a smile that Maya hadn't seen in years.
“He likes your tie,” Maya whispered.
“He has good taste,” Ethan murmured, shifting the baby comfortably against his chest. He looked down at his son, then turned his gaze to Maya, whose eyes were shining with unshed tears. “I’m sorry I wasn't there for the past ten months, Maya. I’m sorry I let work blind me to what mattered.”
May you like
“You’re here now,” she said softly.
“And I’m not leaving,” Ethan vowed, wrapping his free arm around Maya’s waist and pulling her close, uniting the three of them under one roof at last.
