Chapter 53 Return Trip
"I'm not a crusader. I'm a businessman who wants to protect his family." He pressed a kiss to her hair. "Maybe someday, when our children are grown, and our lives are stable, we can think about going after them. But right now? Right now, I just want to take you home."
Home.
The word settled over Eva like a warm blanket.
"Our home," she said softly. "The one you bought for us."
"The one I bought for you. For our family. A place where we can be together without fear."
"I'd like that." Eva closed her eyes. "I'd like that very much."
The jet flew them home, back to their family and a future that finally seemed within reach.
Behind them, Helena Park sat in a French prison cell, facing the consequences of her choices.
They had a new life waiting for them.
At last, they could finally live freely.
The children's shrieks of joy could be heard from the driveway.
Eva had barely stepped out of the car before Lily and Ethan came running, launching themselves at her with the desperate enthusiasm of children who had been counting every minute of her absence.
"Mommy! Mommy! You're back!"
Eva caught them both, dropped to her knees, and hugged them tight. Tears streamed down her face—she felt happiness, relief, and all the stress from the past weeks finally leaving her.
"My darlings, I'm back," she whispered. "I'm back, and I'm never leaving you again. Mommy missed you both so much."
"I missed you too, Mommy,” Lilly said and planted a kiss on Eva’s cheek.
“Me too, Mommy,” Ethan said, hugging her tightly.
He let go of her, looked her in the eyes, and asked, "Mommy, did you catch the mean lady?" Ethan asked, his dark eyes serious.
"Yes, sweetheart. We caught her. Now, she's going to prison, and she'll never be able to hurt us again."
"Really?? That’s good." Lily nodded firmly. "She was very bad. She made Mommy worry so much. I hate her."
"Yes, she was bad. But she's gone now. It's just us. It's okay to feel upset when someone hurts the people you love. But holding on to hate will only make your heart heavy, sweetie. Let's try to let those feelings go together, okay?”
“Yes, Mommy. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, baby. Let’s just forget about her and focus on what’s ahead.”
"And Mister Adrian? He will stay with us." Lily looked past Eva to where Adrian stood, watching the reunion with soft eyes.
"Yes, baby. And Adrian will stay."
Lily let go of Eva and ran to Adrian, wrapping her arms around his legs as she had already decided he was part of the family.
Adrian crouched down, meeting her at eye level. "Hey, princess."
"Uncle Adrian, Mommy said you helped Mommy catch the mean lady."
"Yes, we caught her together. Your mom was very brave."
"Mommy's always brave," Lily said with total confidence, like it was the most obvious thing ever.
Adrian smiled. "Yes, that she is."
Ethan walked over slowly, still a little cautious, but his curiosity was stronger than his nerves. He stopped in front of Adrian and looked up at him with serious eyes.
"Mr. Adrian, are you going to stay?" he asked quietly. "For real with us? Forever?"
Adrian met the boy's gaze seriously. He gently placed his hands on the boy. "Don’t worry, little guy, I'm going to stay for real, forever. I promise."
"You promise?"
"I promise." Adrian held out his hand. "Is that okay with you?"
Ethan considered for a moment.
Then he bypassed the handshake entirely and wrapped his arms around Adrian's neck.
"Okay," he said, his voice muffled against Adrian's shoulder. "That's okay."
Eva watched, her heart swelling with emotion.
This was her family.
Her family had been broken, but now it was coming back together.
It still had scars and was far from perfect—the children hadn’t accepted Adrian as their father yet, and Eva sometimes caught the flicker of uncertainty in their eyes when they looked at him.
She felt a swirl of hope and worry, wishing their laughter and hugs meant they were blending more easily, and fearing the old wounds might never fully heal. Sometimes she wondered if Adrian could ever truly be their dad in their hearts, or if the shadow of the past would always linger between them.
The scars Derek left them were not something they could easily forget.
But she also clung to the small moments: the shared meals, the laughter, the steady presence of Adrian in their daily life.
They were building something new, fragile but real, and whatever shape it took—it was hers.
Richard appeared on the porch, looking healthier than he had in weeks. Daniel stood beside him, grinning at the scene in the driveway.
"Welcome home," Richard called out. "We have champagne waiting inside to celebrate your victory."
"Champagne!" Lily perked up. "Can I have some?"
"No Champagne for you. But you can have sparkling cider," Eva said, lifting her daughter onto her hip. "That's close enough."
"No, I want Champagne. Sparkling water is not as fancy."
"It's fancy enough for a six-year-old."
“Mean,” Lilly pouted, crossing her arms. And all the elders couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
The family headed into the house. Richard went first, Daniel followed, Adrian carried Ethan, and Eva held Lily. They looked like a group who had been through a lot, finally able to relax.
In the living room, glasses were filled, toasts were made, and for the first time in months, the Fransis family celebrated without fear.
Helena was caught.
The Consortium had promised not to target them and backed off.
The nightmare was over.
And now, their ordinary, precious life could finally begin.
Later that night, after the children were asleep and the house had fallen quiet, Eva and Adrian stood on the terrace overlooking the gardens.
The full moon cast silver light over the neat gardens. Stars filled the sky, and the cool, fresh air carried the scent of night-blooming flowers.
"It's beautiful here," Eva murmured.
"It is." Adrian stood beside her, close enough that their shoulders touched. "Though I prefer the house I bought for us. More privacy."
"Eager to get me alone, Mr. Cavanaugh?"
"Always, Mrs. Fransis." He turned to face her, his expression growing serious. "Speaking of which... there's something I want to ask you."
Eva's heart skipped. "Oh?"