Chapter 309

Chapter 309
Six months had passed in the blink of an eye. The autumn breeze gently rustled the trees lining the elementary school entrance where Billy—now officially a first grader—was being dropped off by his parents.

"Bye, Mommy! Bye, Daddy!" he called out, adjusting his oversized backpack.

Just before disappearing through the gates, he turned and, with the directness only a child could muster, asked the same question he'd been asking every morning: "When are you two getting remarried?"

Henry glanced sideways at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Ask your mother," he said, as usual throwing me under the bus.

I rolled my eyes and turned away, pretending I hadn't heard the question.

This had become our morning ritual—Billy asking, Henry deflecting, and me avoiding the answer.

"See you after school, son!" Henry called out, giving Billy a quick wink before the boy dashed inside.

As I turned to leave, I felt Henry close behind me, his footsteps quickening to catch up.

"So," he said, falling into step beside me, "you're really going to see your brother off today?"

"Of course," I replied, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "Alexander is leaving New York. I should be there."

Since my recovery, Henry's relentless pursuit had caused Alexander to give up. Seeing his courtship was hopeless, he had tried to accept me as his sister.

But who would have thought! When the DNA test was done...

Alexander and I turned out to be actual siblings!

Alexander's romantic interest in me completely disappeared, replaced by an almost suffocating brotherly protectiveness.

Henry was visibly uncomfortable with the whole situation.

"I still think I should go alone. What if you can't handle the farewell and get emotional? Your father will blame me, and then I'll be in trouble again."

I couldn't help but smile at his concern. Four months ago, I had accepted Henry's feelings.

We had done everything a married couple could do, but I still hadn't agreed to remarry him—a fact that clearly frustrated him to no end.

"You're being dramatic," I said, climbing into the passenger seat of his car. "Besides, he's my brother. I should see him off."

"Fine," Henry sighed as he started the engine.

The drive to the airport was mostly silent. Henry held my hand over the center console, his thumb gently caressing my skin. These small gestures always made my heart race, though I'd never admit it to him.

Alexander was waiting at the departure gate, a single suitcase beside him. When he spotted us, he stood, a genuine smile spreading across his face.

"My little sister!" he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. "I was afraid you wouldn't come."

"Of course I came," I said, returning his embrace. "How could I not?"

Alexander released me and turned to Henry, extending his hand. "Take care of her, Harding."

Henry reluctantly shook his hand. "You don't need to tell me that."

The final boarding call for Alexander's flight echoed through the terminal. After one last hug, he disappeared through the gate.

I stood watching until I couldn't see him anymore, surprised by the emptiness I felt.

Henry's hand slipped into mine, warm and reassuring. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, blinking back unexpected tears. "I'm fine."

As we walked back through the terminal, Henry suddenly stopped, turning to face me. "Sophia," he said, his expression serious yet hopeful, "the weather's perfect today. Are you absolutely sure you don't want to go fill out those remarriage papers?"

I looked up at him, at the face that had become so dear to me, and smiled.

"I'm enjoying our life as it is right now. Maybe in a little while."

Henry sighed dramatically, running his hand through his hair. "Woman, you're going to be the death of me."

Thanksgiving arrived with crisp air and golden leaves.

Richard had left early that morning to visit the cemetery. He'd had Sam's remains relocated next to William's, firmly believing that all Harding family members should rest together.

The mystery of why Sam had ever left the family remained unsolved, the answer buried with those who knew the truth.

Life had found a new rhythm for all of us.

Thomas was sentenced to death and was desperately filing appeals, though everyone knew he was merely buying time.

Isabella received fifteen years in prison but hadn't bothered to appeal—she seemed detached from everything, as if none of it had anything to do with her.

Ava was sent to a rehabilitation center, to remain there until she was deemed no longer a threat to society.

Scarlett had begged repeatedly to see me, sending messages through various channels, but Henry had rejected them all on my behalf. Her desperate cries eventually faded into silence.

As for me, the court had ruled that I'd been completely incapacitated by the drugs in my system during William's death. I was sentenced to five years with a three-year probation—meaning if I stayed out of trouble for three years, I wouldn't serve any time. The sentence was largely symbolic, a concession to justice and the law.

I accepted the ruling without complaint.

On the day of my sentencing, I visited William's grave, bringing a bouquet of his favorite lilies. I sat before his headstone for hours, talking to him as if he were still with me, telling him everything that had happened, apologizing for what I couldn't prevent.

Henry waited patiently in the distance, giving me the space I needed. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the cemetery, I finally rose to leave.

Before I could take a step, Henry approached, his expression solemn.

He knelt before William's grave, his eyes fixed on the headstone.

"William," he said, his voice carrying clearly in the still evening air, "I want to make a promise to you. I'm going to win Sophia back properly, and this time I mean it."

As Henry turned to me, still on one knee, my breath caught in my throat. In his hand was a small velvet box.

"Sophia," he said, his voice unwavering, "will you marry me? Again?"

Marriage. The word that had made me hesitate for months. But looking into Henry's eyes, filled with such certain love, I suddenly couldn't remember why I'd been resisting.

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I extended my left hand, my ring finger waiting all along.

"I will," I whispered, my voice breaking with emotion.

A light rain began to fall, and as Henry slipped the ring onto my finger, tiny droplets glistened like diamonds in the fading light.

It felt as if William was watching over us, his tears of joy blessing our reunion.

Henry pulled me into his arms, his kiss sealing our promise.

In that moment, I knew that sometimes the most beautiful beginnings grow from the most painful endings.

[THE END]