Chapter 30
The car ride home was quiet, filled with the comfortable, easy silence of two people who knew each other's souls down to the bone.
When they arrived at the penthouse, Elias unlocked the door, stepping aside to let Caroline enter first. She walked into the warm, illuminated living room, dropping her small evening bag onto the entryway table.
She walked over to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, pressing her hands gently against the cool glass as she looked out over the skyline. There was no fear left in her chest. No phantom grip of a wire around her throat. Only the rhythmic, steady beat of her own heart, fully alive, fully reclaimed.
Elias walked up quietly behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his chin softly on her shoulder.
"We made it," he whispered into the quiet night.
May you like
Caroline smiled, placing her hands over his, her grip firm and secure.
"We didn't just make it, Elias," Caroline replied, her voice ringing with absolute, triumphant finality. "We won."
