inquest

Chapter 10 - THE LESSON OF THE STETHOSCOPE

One year later.

The Charleston sun was warm, casting a golden light over the garden behind the Bellini mansion.

A large white tent was set up on the lawn, filled with fairy lights, fresh flowers, and the cheerful sounds of classical music mixed with children’s laughter.

It was Roman and Rachel’s wedding day.

Rachel looked breathtaking in an elegant lace gown, her copper hair styled in soft curls. Roman stood beside her in a tailored dark suit, his eyes filled with absolute, radiant happiness as he held her hand.

Near the front row of seats, eighteen-month-old Nicholas was walking on his own sturdy little legs, wearing a tiny tuxedo, chasing butterflies across the grass.

And standing right beside the priest, wearing a bright yellow flower-girl dress, was five-year-old Sophie.

She didn't carry a basket of rose petals.

Instead, draped proudly around her neck over her pristine yellow dress, was her shiny medical stethoscope.

The priest smiled down at the young girl. "And do we have the rings, Dr. Sophie?"

Sophie nodded solemnly. She pulled two gold bands from her small doctor's kit bag and handed them to Roman and Rachel.

"Remember," Sophie whispered loudly enough for the whole audience to hear, "you have to take care of each other's hearts every day."

The crowd erupted into soft laughter and applause.

Roman knelt down on one knee, taking Sophie’s tiny hand in his. "I promise, Dr. Sophie. Best doctor in the world."

"The best," Sophie agreed proudly.

As the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Roman pulled Rachel into a deep, loving kiss under the warm low-country sky, while little Nico toddled over and grabbed both of their legs, babbling happily.

Later that evening, after the guests had departed and the stars lit up the dark blue sky over the marsh, Roman walked up the stairs to the nursery.

The room was no longer the sad, cold place it had once been. The walls were painted a warm, cheerful yellow, lined with toys, crayons, and framed photographs of their new family—Roman, Rachel, Sophie, and Nico laughing together at the beach.

In the corner sat the old rocking chair, now well-used.

Roman sat down in the chair, holding sleeping little Nico against his chest, while Rachel stood beside him, resting her head against his shoulder.

Down the hallway, Sophie was tucked into her bed, her stethoscope resting safely on her nightstand beside a doctor's chart that read:

PATIENT: BELLINI FAMILY. STATUS: CURED.

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Roman looked down at his sleeping son, then up at his beautiful wife, taking a deep, peaceful breath.

The shadows were gone. The silence was broken. The fortress had finally become a home.

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