Chapter 17 - the warm reunion
By the time Damian returned to the estate, the sky was brightening. The smoke and debris from yesterday's explosion had been swept clean, restoring the castle's inherent majesty. He headed down to the safe room in the basement, hurriedly opening the heavy steel door and stepping inside.
Sophia was hugging Bruno's neck tightly, fast asleep on the cushioned chair. The giant dog lifted his head, gently wagging his tail to greet his master. Seeing her father return safely, the six-year-old girl woke with a start, rushing into his arms with tears welling in her eyes from sheer joy.
"Dad, the bad men are all gone, right?" Sophia asked, pressing her tiny face against Damian's solid chest.
Damian hugged his daughter tightly, placing a soft kiss on her hair. The smell of gunpowder and smoke on his body seemed to vanish before this boundless love. "They are all gone, my love. No one can ever hurt you again."
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The storm had truly passed. Those eyeing his throne had been eradicated, restoring absolute stillness to the Cross family. Damian realized that supreme strength was not meant for destruction, but to protect the smile of the little angel resting in his arms.
👉 read part 18 to see sophia's growth.
