chapter 10

**Threads of the Past**

The following morning, Claire woke with a feeling of clarity she hadn’t experienced in years. The weight of the past had begun to lift, leaving her with a renewed sense of purpose. She stretched, feeling the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the windows, and listened to the distant sound of the ocean, a soothing reminder that she was where she was meant to be.

As she made her way downstairs, the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted her, along with the sound of Ethan humming quietly in the kitchen. The sight of him, standing there in the morning light, filled her with a deep sense of contentment. This was what she wanted—these simple, quiet moments, shared with someone who understood her in ways no one else ever had.

Before they went to bed, Claire placed the silver bracelet she had bought at the market on her wrist, feeling its weight as a reminder of the love that had brought her back to Seabreeze, to this house, and to Ethan. The charms tinkled softl