Chapter 7 - THE MORNING OF HEALING
At 8:00 AM the following morning, the golden morning sun broke through the tall pine trees of Marbella, filling the master breakfast terrace of Villa Solaria with warm, fragrant light.
The villa had been completely transformed overnight.
Sofia, our beloved veteran housekeeper, had returned with her full team of trusted domestic staff. The gardens had been cleared, the spilled trash bags removed, the swimming pool sparkling like a liquid sapphire, and the kitchen filled with the rich, comforting aromas of freshly baked pastries, hot chocolate, and toasted brioche.
I sat at the wooden breakfast table wearing a relaxed white linen shirt and comfortable trousers.
Beside me sat Isabella.
She wore a brand-new, soft yellow cotton sundress, her dark hair washed, brushed, and tied with a bright blue silk ribbon. Her hands were wrapped in clean, soothing medical gauze, and resting on the chair beside her was a giant, brand-new plush golden retriever puppy I had purchased for her that morning.
She took a slow, sweet sip of her hot chocolate, looking around the bright terrace with wide, peaceful eyes.
"Daddy?" she whispered softly.
I set my coffee cup down, turning toward her with a warm smile. "Yes, my brave girl?"
"Is Beatriz really gone forever?" she asked, her small voice carrying the lingering echo of three months of fear.
I reached across the table, gently placing my large, warm hand over her bandaged fingers.
"Beatriz is gone forever, Isabella," I promised, looking straight into her eyes. "She will never step foot on this property again. She will never be near you again. The police have locked her away, and my security team will protect this house every single second of every single day."
Isabella let out a long, quiet breath, her shoulders relaxing completely for the first time since I stepped off that airplane.
"Can we plant new flowers in the garden where the mud was, Daddy?" she asked, a small, genuine smile finally illuminating her beautiful face.
My heart swelled with an unshakeable, profound joy.
"We can plant an entire forest of flowers, sweetheart," I laughed softly, kissing the top of her head. "Whatever flowers you want."
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Sofia walked onto the terrace carrying a plate of warm, cinnamon-dusted French toast, setting it in front of Isabella with a motherly, loving smile.
"Eat well, little princess," Sofia said gently, winking at her. "Today is a brand-new day."
