Chapter 5 - The HomecomingTwo weeks later, the morning sun broke over the Baltimore waterfront, painting the sky in brilliant shades of amber, rose, and gold.
The silver gates of the Calder estate swung open smoothly as a black town car glided up the long, tree-lined drive. Inside the car, Nora looked out the window at the sprawling stone manor that had once felt like an intimidating fortress of power, but now looked remarkably like a sanctuary.
Her physical wounds had healed, leaving only faint silver scars along her wrists—silent reminders of a nightmare that was now permanently buried.
When the car stopped, Roman stepped out first, opening her door with the care of a man handling fragile glass. He offered her his hand, and she took it, stepping out onto the cobblestone courtyard.
Waiting on the grand front steps was Caleb.
The nine-year-old boy looked healthier, happier, and significantly taller than he had two weeks ago. Clutched tightly in his arms was a massive, wiggly golden retriever puppy with floppy ears and an oversized tongue, and in his other hand, he held the dented tin box covered in baseball stickers.
“Nora!” Caleb shouted, breaking into a full sprint across the courtyard, entirely ignoring the four towering bodyguards standing nearby.
“Caleb!” Nora cried out, dropping to her knees just as her little brother collided with her chest, wrapping his arms around her neck so hard she almost lost her balance.
They sat together on the cobblestones, rocking back and forth as tears of sheer joy streamed down both their faces. The golden retriever puppy joined in, licking Nora’s cheek with enthusiastic abandon while Caleb sobbed into her shoulder.
“I told you you were coming home,” Caleb choked out, holding up the dented tin box like a shield. “I kept the box safe! I didn't let anyone touch it!”
Nora laughed through her tears, kissing the top of his head over and over again. “I know you did, sweetie. You’re the best security guard in Baltimore.”
She looked up, her gaze finding Roman standing a few feet away, watching them with a quiet, devastatingly tender expression on his face. The cold, ruthless waterfront boss had vanished, replaced by a man who had finally found something worth protecting with his life.
Nora reached out her free hand toward him.
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Roman didn't hesitate. He crossed the short distance, dropped to one knee beside them on the cobblestones, and took her hand, intertwining his fingers with hers.
“Welcome home, Nora,” he whispered.
