Chapter 10 - THE MORNING AFTER
The storm cleared by daybreak, leaving a crisp, golden sunlight reflecting off the snow-covered pine trees outside the kitchen windows.
At 7:30 AM, Daniel stood by the stove in the kitchen, wearing a simple flannel shirt and jeans. The stainless-steel dog bowl was gone—thrown into the outdoor recycling bin hours ago. In its place on the kitchen island sat a bright yellow ceramic plate filled with fluffy scrambled eggs, warm buttered toast, and fresh strawberries.
Soft footsteps sounded on the stairs.
Emma peeked around the corner of the kitchen doorway, her small hands clutching the doorframe. She looked around nervously, her eyes darting toward the counter where Victoria usually stood.
"She’s gone, sweetheart," Daniel said gently, kneeling down and extending his arms. "She's never coming back."
Emma hesitated for a second, then ran across the room, throwing her arms around her father's neck. Daniel pulled her close, lifting her up and setting her gently onto one of the high barstools by the island.
He pushed the plate of food toward her. "Eat as much as you want, Emma. Everything in this house is yours."
Emma looked at the plate, then up at her father. Tears filled her eyes again, but this time, they weren't tears of fear. She picked up a small fork with trembling fingers and took a bite of the eggs.
"Daddy?" she whispered softly, chewing slowly.
"Yes, Emma?"
"Are we going to be okay?"
Daniel reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her forehead, his thumb gently smoothing over her cheek.
"We're going to be better than okay," Daniel promised. "I'm never leaving you alone again."
Her phone on the counter vibrated. A text message popped up from his attorney, Marcus Vance:
May you like
Victoria just arrived at the office with her legal counsel. She looks terrified. We are preparing the final settlement documents now.
Daniel smiled faintly, looking at his daughter as she ate her breakfast in peace. Phase one was complete. But as Daniel knew all too well in business and in war, cornered enemies rarely stay quiet for long—and Victoria still had one final card left to play.
