Chapter 10 - The Unconquered Dawn
The New Year arrived with a clear, brilliant sunrise that flooded the grand estate with golden light.
Maria stood on the second-floor balcony, looking out over the newly reconstructed east wing, where the soft morning glow reflected off the freshly painted glass windows of the youth foundation. The construction dust had settled; the legal battles were history; and the ghosts of the old Whitmore regime were buried deep in the past.
Footsteps echoed softly down the hallway, followed by the familiar patter of running sneakers.
The balcony doors burst open, and Oliver ran out onto the terrace, wearing a bright red sweater and holding a kite.
“Maria! The wind is perfect! Come on!” Oliver shouted excitedly, tugging on her sleeve.
May you like
Maria laughed, setting her coffee mug down on the stone table and letting the boy pull her toward the sprawling lawns below.
As they ran out across the grass together, the kite caught the morning updraft, lifting high into the crisp, open blue sky, soaring far above the trees, completely free, completely untethered, and flying higher than anyone had ever thought possible.
