Chapter 77

• The coastal town of Seabrook welcomed them with open arms, or rather, with the gentle caress of a sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and brine. It was a far cry from the oppressive atmosphere of Cleo's previous life, a stark contrast to the suffocating confines of her marriage. Here, the air itself felt lighter, imbued with a sense of freedom that settled deep within their bones. They had chosen Seabrook intentionally, its quiet charm and rugged beauty mirroring the quiet strength they had discovered within themselves. The cottage they rented perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the ocean, its whitewashed walls gleaming under the relentless sun. It was small, modest, but it was theirs, a blank canvas upon which they would paint their future.
• The interior of the cottage, though sparsely furnished, was filled with light, the sun streaming in through large windows that offered breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean. The rhythmic crashing of waves against the rocks below became the soundtrack to their days, a constant, soothing reminder of the power and beauty of nature, a power that mirrored the resilience they had found within themselves. Cleo, ever the artist, was captivated by the shifting moods of the ocean, the way the light danced on the water, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that changed with each passing hour. She spent hours sketching, her charcoal capturing the raw, untamed energy of the sea, its vastness a reflection of the boundless possibilities that lay before them.
• Rowan, meanwhile, took on the practical aspects of their new life, his hands, usually deft with a firearm, now equally adept at wielding a hammer and saw. He repaired the small imperfections in their cottage, his careful attention to detail reflecting his meticulous nature, his commitment to building a solid foundation for their future. He spent hours tending to the small garden that edged their property, nurturing the delicate seedlings, his patience and care mirroring his devotion to Cleo. He found work as a security consultant for a local business, a position that allowed him to utilize his skills while maintaining the flexibility to spend time with Cleo. The work provided him with a sense of purpose, a grounding element in their new, exhilaratingly uncertain existence.