The sun rose slowly over the Harrington estate, casting warm, golden light across the grounds. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, the manor was quiet.
Sophia and Liam sat on the porch steps, their faces streaked with soot and exhaustion. The events of the night felt like a distant dream, but the scars on Liam's palm and the charred circle beneath the magnolia tree were proof that it had all been real.
"Do you think it's really over?" Liam asked, breaking the silence.
Sophia nodded, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "The weight is gone. I think we did it."
They sat in silence for a while, letting the morning's peace wash over them. The scent of magnolias drifted through the air, but this time it felt comforting, not haunting.
Sophia turned to Liam, a small smile playing on her lips. "We made a good team."
Liam chuckled, his eyes softening. "We did. Though I wouldn't recommend breaking ancient curses as a hobby."
Sophia laughed, the sound light and genuine. It felt good to laugh again, to let go of the fear and tension that had gripped them for so long.
"What happens now?" Liam asked.
Sophia thought for a moment. "The manor has been a symbol of pain and secrets for too long. Maybe it's time for it to become something new—a place of healing, not haunting."
Liam nodded. "I like that. It's what Eleanor and James would have wanted."
As they stood and began to walk back toward the house, a sudden breeze rustled the magnolia tree's branches. Sophia paused, turning to look at the tree one last time.
For a moment, she thought she saw Eleanor and James standing beneath it, their hands intertwined and their faces serene. But when she blinked, they were gone.
Sophia smiled, her heart light. "Thank you," she whispered.
Liam joined her, his hand resting on her shoulder. Together, they walked into the house, ready to face a future free from the shadows of the past.
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