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The tense atmosphere in the apartment eased for a moment following Leon's exaggerated outburst. They chatted casually for a while longer, but the conversation couldn't regain its earlier lightness. The shadow of Raccoon City hung over the small pool of lamplight like an inescapable storm cloud.
Finally, Leon stood up. He patted the wrinkles out of his pants and forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Alright, it's getting late. This bankrupt loner should head back to his pathetic little hole." His voice was laced with self-deprecation.
"Leon, don't go..." Sherry whispered, tugging at the hem of his shirt.
"Thank you, Sherry." Leon bent down, gently patting her head with a rare trace of tenderness. "But a man needs a ceiling of his own to stare at when he can't sleep, right?"
He straightened up and looked at Noah and Claire, letting out a heavy sigh. "Call me if you need anything. Although I probably can't be much help besides being a punching bag."
He walked toward the door without looking back, his tall shadow exuding an indescribable desolation until the door clicked shut.
Noah didn't retreat to the bedroom. He pointed toward the sofa. "You two go to sleep. I'll take the couch."
Claire looked at him, her lips moving as if to protest, but she settled for a sigh. She knew Noah needed space to process the night and think about their uncertain future. She took Sherry's hand—the girl was so sleepy she was nodding like a drowsy kitten—and led her to the bedroom.
The night was long and quiet.
Early the next morning, as the sun began to pierce the clouds with a hazy golden glow, Claire and Sherry were awakened by an irresistibly rich aroma. It wasn't just toast or milk; it was the sizzle of a hot pan and the savory scent of a proper breakfast.
Sherry's little nose twitched like a kitten discovering a treasure chest. She bounced out of bed and ran barefoot toward the kitchen, peeking around the doorframe with wide blue eyes.
"Noah, what's for breakfast?" she asked in a soft, sleepy voice.
Noah, wearing an apron, turned from the stove. The morning light outlined his profile in a soft halo. He smiled warmly. "First, go have Claire help you wash up. You'll find out soon."
Sherry nodded vigorously and turned, nearly bumping into Claire, who was also peeking in with a curious look. Claire's cheeks flushed, and she coughed to hide her embarrassment. "Come on, let's get ready. The faster we wash, the sooner we eat."
When they returned, the table was laden with golden scrambled eggs, bacon fried to a perfect crisp, toasted bread, and warm milk. In the center sat a steaming pot of thick white congee topped with fresh green scallions. The sight of it made Claire's eyes sting with unexpected warmth.
After breakfast, Noah cleared the dishes and picked up the phone. He dialed a number while Claire and Sherry watched.
"Hello, Sotheby's International Realty? I'd like to inquire about single-family homes for sale. Quiet community, top-tier security. Comprehensive and reliable."
The agent on the other end was professional and immediately pitched Manhattan proper or the surrounding villa areas. Noah looked at Claire for her opinion.
"The Hudson River sounds good," Claire whispered. She liked the idea of "scenery" and "privacy."
"The Hudson River area, then," Noah said into the receiver. "Private garden and pool. Four bedrooms or more."
The agent's voice jumped with excitement. "I have an excellent listing that just hit the market. A modern white villa, secluded, with a heated pool. I can send a car to pick you and your family up right now."
Noah gave the address and hung up. Claire was still stunned. "So... we're really buying a house? Right now?"
"Why not?" Noah smiled. "We need a safer, more comfortable place for Sherry to grow up."
Within twenty minutes, a black Lincoln sedan pulled up. A middle-aged man named Jason stepped out, opened the doors for Claire and Sherry, and drove them toward the river.
The community was a lush, heavily guarded sanctuary. Uniformed security verified their identity at the gate. It was silent except for the birds and the wind through the trees. Jason parked in front of a modern white villa nestled in a secluded corner, featuring a spacious garden and an azure pool.
"Mr. Noah, Ms. Claire, here we are."
They stepped inside the vaulted living room, where floor-to-ceiling windows captured the sunlight and the river view. Sherry ran through the house like a happy deer, eventually discovering the blooming roses in the garden. Claire stood on the master balcony, gazing at the water with a look of pure longing.
Noah, meanwhile, methodically inspected the security console, the window materials, and the garage's fire doors.
"What do you think?" he asked Claire.
"I love it here," she said, her eyes sparkling.
"We'll take it," Noah told Jason. "Can we sign the contract today?"
Jason's smile bloomed. He hadn't expected a high-end deal to be settled so effortlessly. "Of course! We'll handle all the formalities at top speed. And as a token of trust, we'll include all the high-end furniture left by the previous owner for free!"
Two days later, the keys were in Noah's hand. The villa was spotless, the lawn mown, and the pool refilled. It was, finally, a home of their own.
That evening, as Noah prepped dinner in their bright new kitchen, he picked up the wall phone and dialed Leon.
"Hello?" Leon's voice was weary.
"Leon, it's me," Noah said, his tone relaxed. "Are you free tonight?"
"Free? I've got nothing but time and a lot of staring at the wall," Leon replied with bitter self-mockery.
"Good," Noah chuckled. "Don't stay moldering in that hole. I'm sending you an address. Come over for dinner—it's a housewarming. Come liven things up a bit."
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