Chapter 10 - The Daughter of Claire
That evening, after the marina had closed and the boats were safely moored in their slips, I walked down to the end of the main dock.
The water was still, reflecting the first stars of the evening.
I pulled Claire’s silver necklace from beneath my collar—the one I had found in the safe-deposit box, featuring a small, silver anchor. I held it in my hand, feeling its familiar weight.
For so many years, I had searched for my place in the world. I had begged for scraps of affection from people who could never love me because they were too busy trying to steal my identity. I had believed I was weak, broken, and unwanted.
But as I looked out over the harbor that bore my mother's name, surrounded by the people who loved me for exactly who I was, I knew the truth.
I was not the weak, quiet girl my adoptive parents had tried to erase. I was Claire’s daughter. I was Richard’s granddaughter. I was a survivor.
Jake walked down the dock, holding two mugs of hot cocoa. He handed one to me, his shoulder resting comfortably against mine.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked.
"I was just thinking about Grandpa," I said, taking a sip of the warm chocolate. "I think he’d be proud of us."
"He’d be thrilled," Jake laughed. "Though he’d probably tell me my workshop is too clean and that I need to get some real grease on the floor."
I laughed, the sound carrying over the quiet water.
Behind us, Madison walked out of the office, waving to us as she headed toward her car. "See you tomorrow, partners!" she called out.
"See you tomorrow, Madison!" we called back.
May you like
I turned back to the ocean, the cool wind blowing through my hair. The past was finally where it belonged—behind us. The future was wide open, as vast and beautiful as the sea.
And for the first time in my life, I was ready for it.
