After Margaret's departure, the atmosphere in the manor felt lighter, as if a century's worth of sorrow had begun to lift. But Sophia and Liam knew there was still more to be done.
"I want to hold a memorial," Sophia said that evening as they sat in the living room. "For James and Eleanor. They deserve to be remembered."
Liam nodded. "That's a great idea. We can invite the community, share their story, and give them the recognition they were denied."
Over the next week, Sophia and Liam threw themselves into planning the event. They reached out to local historians, gathered artifacts from the manor, and created a display of James's letters and Eleanor's diary.
On the day of the memorial, the manor was filled with visitors. The once-abandoned halls were alive with voices and footsteps, the air buzzing with curiosity and reverence.
Sophia stood at the base of the grand staircase, addressing the crowd. "James and Eleanor's story is one of love and loss, but it's also a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Despite everything, their love endured. Today, we honor them and ensure they are never forgotten."
The crowd applauded, their faces reflecting a mix of sadness and admiration.
After the event, Sophia and Liam walked through the garden, the magnolia tree blooming in the soft light of dusk.
"You did something amazing today," Liam said, his voice warm.
Sophia smiled, glancing up at him. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Their eyes met, and this time, neither of them looked away. Liam reached for her hand, his touch gentle but steady.
"Sophia," he began, his voice soft but firm, "I know we started this as two people chasing a mystery, but somewhere along the way, it became so much more. I can't imagine going through any of this without you."
Sophia's heart swelled, her chest tight with emotion. "I feel the same way," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Liam leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that felt like a promise—a new beginning forged in the wake of a story that had finally been put to rest.
As they stood beneath the magnolia tree, the faint scent of flowers mingling with the evening breeze, Sophia felt a sense of peace she hadn't known in years.
And in the distance, near the edge of the lake, two faint figures stood hand in hand, watching over them.
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