Chapter 10 - THE SACRED SANCTUARY
Ethan set the roses back on the counter, leaving one single, perfect red rose beside Lupita's keyboard.
"Thank you, Lupita," Ethan said softly, his voice carrying a genuine warmth that transformed his rugged features. "You have a bright future with this company."
He turned to Mercer and Claire.
"Daniel, you will assist Mrs. Vance with her luggage to her vehicle immediately," Ethan commanded, his tone sharp, professional, and absolute. "She is leaving the property tonight. And tomorrow morning, you and I will have a very long conversation regarding front-desk training and corporate ethics."
Claire bowed her head in total, silent shame. Mercer nodded frantically, instantly stepping toward Helena to escort her out of the lobby.
Helena stood frozen for a long moment under the crystal chandeliers, looking at Ethan, then down at little Lily. Recognizing that her corporate maneuver had completely failed, she turned on her heel and walked out through the double-glass doors into the cold mountain night, followed closely by her security guard.
Ethan scooped Lily back up into his broad arm, lifting her smoothly onto his hip.
Lily rested her head against his leather vest, her small fingers wrapping around his collar as her eyes slowly drifted shut once more, completely safe in her father's arms.
Ethan picked up the eleven remaining red roses in his right hand, stepping toward the VIP elevator doors.
Lupita held the brass button for him, smiling warmly as the doors slid open. "Have a wonderful night, Mr. Vance. Welcome home, Lily."
"Goodnight, Lupita," Ethan replied gently.
The brass elevator doors closed smoothly, shutting out the grand lobby, the marble floors, and the corporate shadows of the night.
Inside the quiet, panel-lit elevator, Lily snuggled closer into Ethan’s neck, clutching her mother’s stuffed rabbit as the lift rose softly toward the top floor.
"Daddy?" Lily whispered sleepily as the elevator reached the penthouse. "Is Mommy's picture still beautiful?"
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Ethan looked down at his daughter, pressing a tender kiss against her soft hair as the brass doors opened to reveal the warm, sunlit oil painting of Sarah hanging at the end of the private hallway.
"It's the most beautiful thing in the world, sweetheart," Ethan whispered softly. "And it's ours forever."
