Page 136 of Liberation

Topside, I stare at the moonlight bouncing off the dark water. I listen to the waves and feel the boat. The water's calm, and the wind has dropped to almost nothing.

It's still.

I hear someone come on deck after me, and Shade wraps his arms around me, sighing, sounding as content as I feel.

'Here.’ He hands me a piece of paper. An envelope that I can't really see. ‘I meant to give you this earlier.'

'What is it?' I ask.

'The paperwork. It finally came.'

My hand grips his tightly. 'You signed it.'

He lets out a chuckle. ‘Sweetheart, I had it notarized and sent within ten minutes. I want to be your best friend. One of the loves of your life. Never a guardian with power over you.’

I hold onto him tightly, scarcely able to believe, after all this time, that it’s over. No one can ever use the law to take over my life ever again.

'You're free, Daisy.'