CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY - FRESH BEGINNINGS AWAIT

Six months after the shocking revelation of Sarah's return and the subsequent unraveling of a complex web of corruption and deceit, Claire stood in her kitchen, basking in the warm afternoon sunlight. The house was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the dishwasher and the distant sound of Mason's voice as he spoke on the phone in his study. Claire's hand absently drifted to her swollen belly, a smile tugging at her lips as she felt a flutter of movement beneath her palm. The baby, due in just a few short weeks, was a constant reminder of the new life they were building, free from the shadows of their past. The sound of the front door opening broke her reverie. "Mom? Dad? We're home!" came the cheerful call of their daughter, Lily. Claire made her way to the living room, her smile widening as she saw Lily and Ethan entering, laden with shopping bags. "How was the mall?" she asked, accepting a quick hug from Lily. Ethan grinned, holding up a bag. "Successful. We got everything on the