BLOOD BENEATH THE MARBLE

Six months later.

The grandfather clock in the foyer ticked quietly.

The pale marble floor was gone.

In its place was warm, rich mahogany hardwood. The coldness of the Caldwell estate had been stripped away, piece by piece. The heavy drapes were open, letting the morning sunlight flood the massive entrance.

Grace Bennett walked down the grand staircase.

She wasn't wearing a uniform. She wore a stunning emerald green dress, her hair falling softly in natural waves.

At the bottom of the stairs stood Nathaniel. He was smiling. A real, genuine smile.

"You look beautiful," he said, offering his hand.

"I feel like an imposter," Grace laughed softly, taking it.

"You're not," Nathaniel said firmly. "You are the bravest woman I know."

In the living room, the sound of childish laughter echoed. Leo was running around the sofa, playing with the new golden retriever puppy Nathaniel had bought him.

The trauma of the past had not magically vanished. They both had scars. They both missed their mothers.

But they had found the truth together. And in the ashes of Victoria's deceit, they had found each other.

Nathaniel pulled Grace close, kissing her softly as the morning light bathed the new floor.