Chapter 9 - A NEW FOUNDATION
Three months later.
Spring arrived in Texas with warm breezes, bluebonnets blooming along the highways, and clear, endless blue skies.
The house on Elmwood Lane had sold in six days for $1.52 million in an all-cash transaction.
I stood in the sunroom of a breathtaking three-bedroom craftsman home in a quiet, oak-lined neighborhood in North Dallas. It had a wraparound porch, a big backyard with a weeping willow tree, and a bright, sunlit kitchen with a built-in breakfast nook.
It was bought entirely in cash. The deed sat in my safe deposit box, stamped with one name: Sarah Eleanor Sterling.
In the backyard, Lily was running across the lush green grass with a golden retriever puppy we had adopted from a local shelter two weeks ago. Her laughter echoed through the open windows—crisp, joyous, and completely unburdened.
Marcus Vance walked into the sunroom carrying two glasses of iced lemonade.
"The final closing documents from the escrow company arrived this morning, Sarah," Marcus smiled, handing me a glass. "Everything is clear. The house is 100% yours."
"Thank you, Marcus," I said, taking a sip. "For everything."
"How are... the former tenants doing?" Marcus asked casually.
I looked out at the yard.
"Vanessa is working at a retail clothing store in the mall," I replied calmly. "My mother is working part-time at a local dry cleaner to help pay their apartment rent. My father is completing his court-ordered probation."
May you like
"Do they ever try to reach out?"
"They can't," I smiled gently. "And even if they could... they don't know where we live."
