Chapter 4: The Cottage in the Shadows**
“Clara…”
The name slipped from Julian’s lips like a prayer long forgotten.
The woman on the cot stirred, her breathing shallow and ragged. She was painfully thin, her skin pale as porcelain, but the fierce fire in her hazel eyes remained unchanged. When her gaze moved from the open door to the silhouette of the tall, silver-haired man holding their daughter, her eyes widened in shock.
“Julian?” she breathed, trying to push herself upright on trembling elbows.
Julian crossed the room in two strides. He set Lily down gently on the floor and dropped to his knees beside the cot, gathering Clara into his arms. She felt so fragile against his broad frame, like a bird with bruised wings. When she touched his face, her fingertips were icy, but her tears were hot against his skin.
“You found us,” she sobbed quietly, burying her face into the crook of his neck. “Oh God, Julian… you really found us.”
“I’m here. I’ve got you,” Julian choked out, pressing his forehead against hers. “Why didn’t you let me know, Clara? I was dying without you.”
Clara gripped the lapels of his coat, her voice dropping to an urgent whisper. “Kane never stopped looking for the ledger, Julian. He thought you gave it to me before the fire. Two weeks ago, his men spotted me near the docks. I knew they were closing in. I caught pneumonia hiding in the cold… I couldn’t run anymore.”
May you like
Lily walked over quietly, resting her chin on the cot, placing her teddy bear beside Clara’s hand. “Don’t cry, Mommy. The silver man came. Just like the story.”
---
