Chapter 10 - Eighty-Two Floors Above the Sky
One year later.
The evening sun was setting over the city, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of deep crimson, burnt orange, and gold.
The rooftop terrace of Callaway Tower on the eighty-second floor had been completely redesigned. The cold glass railings had been replaced with reinforced, elegant wrought-iron security balustrades lined with blooming white jasmine and red roses.
Tonight, there were no cameras, no press, no high-society crowds, and no fake smiles.
It was a small, intimate family gathering.
Eleanor sat in a comfortable garden lounge chair, watching little Toby run around the terrace with a remote-controlled helicopter, his joyful laughter filling the warm evening breeze.
Rose stood near the edge of the terrace, leaning against the iron railing, feeling the gentle wind blow through her dark hair. She was wearing a simple, beautiful floral summer dress.
A pair of strong, warm arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind.
Nathaniel rested his chin softly on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of her hair.
“What are you thinking about, Mrs. Callaway?” Nathaniel whispered softly into her ear.
Rose smiled, leaning her head back against his chest, placing her hands over his.
Three months ago, they had been married in a quiet, beautiful stone chapel in the Virginia countryside—surrounded only by true friends, real family, and genuine love. There were no multi-million-dollar publicity stunts, no corporate deals, and no hidden agendas.
“I was thinking about the first time I stood on this rooftop,” Rose whispered, turning her head to look at him. “I dropped a tray of champagne and thought my life was over.”
Nathaniel turned her gently in his arms, looking down into her bright hazel eyes with endless tenderness.
“And instead,” Nathaniel smiled softly, kissing the tip of her nose, “you saved my family. You saved me.”
Below them, the lights of the vast city began to twinkle like thousands of fallen stars in the twilight.
May you like
Rose reached up, touching the silver pendant around her neck, then rested her hand against Nathaniel’s heart, feeling its steady, strong beat.
The terrifying fall from eighty-two floors had once threatened to pull everything into the dark abyss of greed and crime. But from that height of terror, truth had risen, justice had prevailed, and a love forged in courage now stood unbroken—high above the sky.
