Chapter 6 - THE MANSION ON THE NORTH SHORE
The North Shore mansion became my refuge.
I hired a small staff.
Reopened the gardens.
Restored the library.
And began working from my father's old office.
For the first time in years, my days belonged to me.
Vincent called repeatedly.
I didn't answer.
Then one afternoon, he appeared at the gate.
The security camera showed him standing beside his black car.
No driver.
No assistant.
No Sophia.
Just Vincent.
I watched the screen.
Then pressed the intercom.
“What do you want?”
He looked up.
“Claire.”
I waited.
“Can we talk?”
I took a breath.
“About the divorce?”
He hesitated.
“About us.”
I almost laughed.
“There's no us to discuss.”
His expression changed.
“Please.”
The word startled me.
Vincent Moretti rarely said please.
But I didn't open the gate.
“Speak to Nathan.”
Then I ended the call.
That evening, I sat in the sunroom.
The lake glittered beneath the setting sun.
For the first time, I realized something.
I wasn't lonely.
May you like
I was peaceful.
And there was a difference.
