Chapter 17 - MAYA'S SECOND BIRTHDAY A year after the confrontation, the estate looked completely different.
Flowers covered the garden.
Children's toys sat in the family room.
Music played through open windows.
Maya ran across the lawn laughing.
Arthur followed behind her carrying balloons.
"Slow down, princess!"
Maya turned.
"Grandpa!"
She ran into his arms.
Elena watched from the terrace.
Her husband wrapped an arm around her.
"Can you believe how much changed?"
Elena smiled.
"Sometimes I still think I'm going to wake up."
He kissed her forehead.
"This is real."
Inside, the family gathered around Maya's birthday cake.
No fear.
No shouting.
May you like
No secrets.
Just laughter.
Related Stories
Chapter 18 - THE LETTER That evening, after the guests had left, Elena returned to the kitchen.
Chapter 19 - THE LEGACY The following morning, Arthur took Elena and Maya into an old private room hidden behind the library.
Chapter 20 - THE DOOR THAT REMAINED OPEN That evening, the sun descended behind the estate.
