Chapter 10 - THE TABLE FOR TWOOne year later.
The snow was falling softly over Fifth Avenue once again, but inside the salon where it all began, the air was warm, filled with the scent of lavender oil and fresh white roses.
Théo Lindqvist stood by the front desk, carefully arranging a vase of lilies.
The glass front doors opened, and a chime rang out across the quiet room.
Genevieve and Adrian walked in together, hand in hand. Genevieve wore a soft cream cashmere coat, her sapphire engagement ring sparkling alongside her gold wedding band. She looked radiant, healthy, and deeply at peace.
Théo immediately bowed with dramatic flair. “Ah! The CEO of Sterling Logistics and her handsome husband! Welcome back, Mrs. Kane.”
Genevieve smiled warmly, walking over to the salon’s rear washing area. “We aren't here for a haircut today, Théo.”
Adrian motioned toward the front door.
Marco Reyes walked into the salon, holding the door open for a young girl—no older than eighteen—who stood frozen on the threshold.
The girl was wrapped in a dirty, oversized denim jacket, her shoes split open at the soles, her blonde hair tangled into a severe, matted bundle behind her neck. She looked terrified, her eyes darting frantically around the luxurious marble room, ready to run.
Genevieve walked slowly toward the girl, stopping three feet away. She didn't look at the dirt. She didn't look at the rags. She looked straight into the young girl’s frightened eyes.
“What’s your name?” Genevieve asked gently.
The girl swallowed hard, her voice trembling. “Lily...”
Genevieve turned to Théo, pulling a black envelope from her purse—the exact same black envelope Adrian had laid down two years ago.
“Clear the schedule for the day, Théo,” Genevieve said softly. “Every stylist gets paid double.”
Théo smiled softly, nodding with deep respect. “Right away, Mrs. Kane.”
Genevieve turned back to Lily, reaching out her hand.
“Come inside, Lily,” Genevieve offered with absolute warmth. “Start here. No cages. Just a new beginning.”
The young girl looked at Genevieve’s extended hand, then up into her kind, beautiful face. Slowly, timidly, Lily reached out and placed her small hand in Genevieve’s.
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Adrian stood by the glass door, watching his wife guide the young girl toward the styling chair. He leaned against the marble counter, a quiet, profoundly grateful smile spreading across his face.
The dark alleyways of Manhattan were full of lost souls, but on this day, beneath the warm lights of Fifth Avenue, another ghost had finally found her way home.
