Chapter 99

Sarah pov

The morning sunlight poured in through the kitchen window, warm and bright, spilling across the table as I sipped my coffee, feeling everything that had happened begin to ease.

It was finally quiet. No more threats lurking in the background, no more lies or secrets tugging us apart.

Just Richard and me, sitting together in the home we'd fought to protect.

I glanced over at him, watching the way he seemed so at ease, leaning back in his chair with his coffee mug in hand.

There was a hint of a smile playing on his lips, a calm I hadn't seen in him for what felt like ages. I wondered if he could see the relief in my own face, the peace that was finally settling inside me. "We did it," he said softly, almost like he was still trying to believe it himself.

I nodded, a small smile spreading across my face. "Yeah. We really did." The words felt light, almost surreal.

After everything-the fear, the betrayals, the constant looking over our shoulders-it was hard to grasp that we were actually free.

He set down his coffee and looked at me with a thoughtful expression, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "You know what I think we need?" he asked, his voice carrying a playful edge.

I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"A vacation," he said, a grin breaking out on his face. "Hawaii. Just you and me, somewhere with no emails, no phone calls, no network, and definitely no Susan."

The thought of a quiet beach, just the two of us away from everything, sent a thrill through me. It sounded like exactly what we needed.

the weight of stress lifting even more as I imagined it. "Sun, sand, and cocktails. No more plots or schemes. Just

hand with his.

down at the way our fingers intertwined, feeling a warmth that went deeper than just the sun streaming

all the chaos. I'd forgotten what it felt like to just sit and breathe beside him, with no tension lingering

was a feeling of real peace, something I'd almost given up

gently rubbing across my knuckles, "what

the laugh came out. "I was thinking about us," I admitted. "And how far we've come.

carried for so long. "I didn't think we'd

now. "There were times I thought the same thing," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But we're here, and we're stronger for it. No more secrets, no more holding back. Just... us." Hearing

to trust someone like this," I

around mine, and he gave me a look that sent a little flutter through my chest, the kind that only came when I knew

I trust you, Sarah. Completely. We've both made mistakes, but they don't define us. What we

a real, unguarded smile. "So, Hawaii?" I asked,

a little while. Just us, the ocean, and... maybe a few pina coladas?" I laughed, feeling lighter than I

something tangible to look forward to. We started talking about which beaches we'd visit, which resorts had the best views, and whether we'd try surfing or just stick to lazy

not giving up, even when things got... hard." He looked

words settled in my heart, a balm over all

love and trust. And it felt stronger, more resilient, than

said, his voice softer, "I think we're ready for whatever comes next. No matter what.

me. "Yes, we have. And we came

of us lost in our own thoughts, but still holding each other's hand as if to anchor

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