Chapter 10
364words
Spring sunshine poured down warmly.
I stood before my father and brother's graves, placing white chrysanthemums on each.
"Dad, Nathan, it's finally over."
Ethan Lane received a life sentence. His ill-gotten gains were confiscated, with a portion returned to me as restitution.
I didn't use this money to resurrect Howard Group's former glory.
Instead, I founded a small investment firm named "Nathan."
A combination of my name and my brother's.
I gently placed the company's business license before their tombstones.
"Nathan, look—we have our own company again. It's small, but this time, I'll protect it properly."
Light footsteps approached from behind.
I turned to see my mother approaching slowly, pushing a wheelchair.
Her hair had turned mostly white, her mind still somewhat clouded, but she was vastly improved from when I'd first rescued her.
"Nina," she called softly.
I walked over and knelt before her.
"Mom, the wind's picking up. Let's head home."
She clutched my hand, tears flowing from her clouded eyes.
"I'm sorry… Nina… it's all my fault…"
She apologized brokenly—for her foolishness, her gullibility, for abandoning me when I needed her most.
I shook my head and wiped away her tears.
"It's all in the past, Mom."
I neither forgave nor condemned her.
Some wounds, once inflicted, never truly heal.
All we can do is carry our scars and move forward.
I pushed my mother's wheelchair away from the cemetery.
The setting sun stretched our shadows long behind us.
Back home, I received a call from K.
"Miss Howard, Ethan Lane has committed suicide in prison."
I held the phone silently for a long moment.
"I understand."
I felt neither satisfaction nor sadness.
Just like that, he became merely a name—one that no longer held any power over me.
After hanging up, I moved to the window.
The phoenix tree in the yard was blooming—my father's favorite.
The wind scattered petals across the lawn.
My phone rang again—a new business partner calling.
I took a deep breath and answered.
"Hello, this is Nina Howard."
My voice was calm and steady.
Sunlight streamed through the window, warming my face.
I knew that Nina Howard's new life was just beginning.
