Chapter 10 - The First Morning of FreedomSunlight entered the penthouse at dawn.
Ava sat by the window.
For months, mornings had meant fear.
Now they meant possibility.
The television showed Margaret's arrest.
Ava watched silently.
Daniel entered.
He looked exhausted.
But when he saw Ava, he smiled.
"It's over."
Ava looked at him.
"Is it?"
"The restraining order is permanent."
He sat beside her.
"She can't come near you."
Ava looked toward the city.
"What happens now?"
Daniel smiled.
"Now we build something different."
He took her hand.
"No mansion. No secrets. No people controlling our lives."
Ava smiled faintly.
"I'd like a house with windows."
"How many?"
"Every wall."
Daniel laughed.
For the first time in months, Ava laughed too.
Then she looked down at her legs.
"Daniel."
"What?"
"I want to stand."
He hesitated.
"The doctor said—"
"I know."
She reached for him.
"Help me."
Daniel stood.
Together, they tried.
Ava's legs trembled.
Her knees nearly gave way.
Daniel caught her.
She breathed through the pain.
Then she stood.
Not perfectly.
Not confidently.
But she stood.
"I'm here," she whispered.
May you like
Daniel held her.
"And you're not alone."
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