The gates of the Sterling Manor opened smoothly as the luxury sedan pulled up the long, tree-lined driveway. Warm light poured from the tall arched windows of the stone mansion, casting a welcoming glow over the manicured gardens. Daisy stared out the window, her hand still resting inside Victoria's warm grip.
Daisy: It's so huge... it looks like a castle from a storybook.
Victoria: It's your home, Clara. It has been waiting for you for fifteen years.
Daisy: Is it okay if I still go by Daisy? It's the name I've known my whole life.
Victoria: You can go by whatever name makes you feel safe, my darling. Daisy Clara Sterling has a beautiful ring to it.
The car came to a stop outside the main entrance, where household staff stood waiting to welcome them. Marcus opened the door, offering a respectful nod to the young girl he had helped rescue.
Marcus: Welcome home, Miss Daisy.
Daisy: Thank you, Marcus. For everything you did tonight.
Victoria led Daisy through the grand foyer, past towering oil paintings and marble statues, straight up the grand staircase to a bright, spacious bedroom on the second floor. The room was decorated in soft pinks and creams, with a massive canopy bed, bookshelves filled with novels, and a large window overlooking the lake.
Victoria: I kept this room exactly as it was meant to be. I updated the clothes every year, hoping that today would finally come.
Daisy: You never gave up on me? Not even after all those years?
Victoria: A mother never gives up on her child, Daisy. Never.
Daisy walked over to the dressing table, sitting down on the cushioned stool. She looked at her reflection in the gilded mirror—her face was still smudged with dirt from the street, but for the first time, her eyes held no fear.
She reached up and unlatched the silver heart locket, laying it flat on the polished wood surface beside a framed photograph of her mother holding her as a newborn baby.
Daisy: I spent so many cold nights wondering if anyone in the world cared that I existed.
Victoria: I cared every single second of every single day. And from tonight on, you will never feel cold or alone again.
Daisy: Can we stay up for a little while? I want to hear about my dad, and about this house, and everything I missed.
Victoria: We have a whole lifetime to catch up on, my sweet girl. Let me bring you some hot chocolate, and I'll tell you every single story.
Victoria smiled, tears of pure happiness slipping down her cheeks as she kissed Daisy's forehead. The silver heart on the table caught the warm lamplight, shining bright and whole at last.