Chapter 594

Chapter 593:

Her heart felt as though it were being held in a vice. All the fear, the anger, the confusion — it dissolved, leaving only the raw, undeniable truth beneath. She loved this man. This flawed, obsessive, deeply devoted man.

The knot in her chest unraveled completely.

Carmen didn’t answer with words. She rose onto her toes and pressed her lips firmly against his.

The kiss was unlike any they had shared before. It wasn’t desperate or punishing. It was a kiss of acceptance — a kiss of new beginnings.

Justin went perfectly still for a moment, stunned. Then a low sound escaped his throat and his arms came around her, pulling her flush against him as he kissed her back with a depth of feeling that left them both breathless.

𝘑𝗼𝗂𝗻 𝘁h𝗈𝘶ѕa𝘯𝗱s о𝖿 f𝖺𝗻ѕ on ѕ.с𝘰𝗆

They stood together in the rain, in front of her parents’ graves, sealing their past and quietly promising their future.

As though the moment had been waiting for its cue, the rain began to slow. A ray of sunlight broke through the heavy grey clouds and fell across the wet leaves and the dark marble of the headstone.

Carmen rested her head against Justin’s chest and listened to the strong, steady beat of his heart.

“Let’s go home,” she whispered. “Our home p>

Justin’s arms tightened around her. A brilliant, hopeful light reignited in his eyes. He nodded.

They turned and walked away together, leaving the ghosts of the past to finally rest in peace.

The peace they had found in the cemetery carried them through the days that followed. It settled over them like a warm blanket — a quiet promise of a new beginning. By the weekend, when the entire Collins clan gathered at the sprawling Long Island estate for a celebratory barbecue, the change in Justin and Carmen was visible to everyone who knew them.

The atmosphere was warm and unhurried. Jocelyn and Carmen sat on the patio, laughing and trading stories. Gaston and Justin stood by the massive stone grill, turning steaks and drinking beer. It was a scene of easy, uncomplicated happiness.

Aaden sprinted across the vast green lawn, chasing the family’s golden retriever. Every few minutes, he would stop and glance back toward the patio, his eyes finding Carmen. A small, shy smile would cross his face before he took off running again.

Just as the sun began to dip below the treeline, Aaden came charging up to the patio, cheeks flushed and eyes bright. He tugged on Carmen’s sleeve.

“Mommy,” he said, his voice clear and carrying across the patio, “can we go look at the horses before it gets dark p>

The word hung in the air. Carmen smiled and squeezed his hand, her heart swelling quietly. But across the patio, Elbert Collins stopped mid-conversation. His gaze sharpened, moving to Justin with a new and focused scrutiny.

After dinner, Elbert caught Justin’s eye and gave a slight nod toward the house. Justin understood. He followed his father into the heavy, wood-paneled study.