Chapter 10 - Healing Old Scars
The rain over Heron Bay had passed by Tuesday morning, leaving behind a crystalline blue sky and the clean, crisp smell of ocean salt.
Clara stood on the gravel path outside the workshop, holding a cup of steaming coffee. She watched Lily, who was crouched near a patch of sea daisies, carefully inspecting a small hermit crab that had wandered up from the rocks. Lily was laughing freely—a melodic, unrestrained sound that Clara had spent three long years dreaming of in the silence of her lonely nights.
A dark sedan rolled quietly up the driveway and came to a stop. Damian stepped out. He wasn't wearing his boardroom suit; he wore dark jeans, a grey woolen sweater, and boots scuffed with dust. He looked younger, the harsh lines around his eyes softened by sleep and release.
Lily looked up, her face instantly brightening. ""Daddy!""
She scrambled up, running toward him. Damian caught her mid-stride, lifting her high into the air as she giggled before pulling her tightly against his chest.
""Did you take care of the bad monsters in the office, Daddy?"" Lily asked, wrapping her small arms around his neck.
""Every single one of them, Lily-bug,"" Damian smiled, kissing her forehead. He set her down gently and watched her run back toward the crab.
He walked over to Clara. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sound of gentle waves rolling onto the stony shore filled the silence between them.
Clara pulled an envelope from her cardigan pocket. ""My lawyer received the notice from the Southern District Court this morning. The charges are wiped. The foundation issued a formal public apology.""
""It's the bare minimum, Clara,"" Damian said. ""The restitution funds will be transferred directly to your community trust here. You’ll never have to worry about funding this workshop again.""
Clara looked at him, searching his face. ""You didn't have to ruin her publicly to do that.""
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""Yes, I did,"" Damian replied softly. ""She spent her life hiding cruelty behind luxury. If people like Eleanor never face the truth, they believe their power is divine right. But more than that... I needed Lily to know that her mother’s honor was never up for negotiation.""
Clara lowered her gaze, a soft breath escaping her lips. ""Thank you, Damian.""
