Chapter 14 - Milestones
Two years had passed since the night they left the mansion. The anniversary of their escape came and went, not as a day of mourning, but as a quiet celebration of their independence.
Mariana stood in front of a mirror in the bedroom, adjusting the collar of her sharp, tailored blazer. Today was her first official day as a junior architect at a prestigious downtown firm.
Leo walked in, looking incredibly handsome in his casual work gear—he had started his own boutique security consulting firm, catering to high-profile clients who needed discretion. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Nervous?" he asked, his voice a comforting rumble.
"A little," Mariana admitted, leaning back into his embrace. "But mostly excited."
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"You've earned every bit of this," he kissed her cheek. "The girls are waiting by the door with their backpacks. They want to walk out together."
Mariana smiled at their reflection. There were no traces of the frightened, bruised woman she used to be. In her place stood a confident professional, a fiercely loving mother, and an equal partner to the man who had risked everything to give her a second chance. They walked out of the bedroom, ready to take on the day as a family.
