Chapter 26 - The Cottage by the Sea**
The ocean breeze blew cool and sweet over the grey wooden shingle cottage sitting atop the grassy bluffs of Cape Cod.
A small garden of yellow daffodils bloomed along the front porch, their bright petals dancing in the late afternoon sun.
Julian parked the sedan along the gravel lane, stepping out into the quiet coastal air.
Sitting on a white wooden rocking chair on the porch was Clara, wearing a simple cardigan, reading a book with glasses rested on her nose.
She looked up as the car door slammed shut, her expression freezing in pure surprise.
Julian walked up the wooden porch steps, stopping three feet from her chair.
He pulled his mother’s leather journal from his coat pocket and laid it gently on the small table beside her tea cup.
“She wanted me to know,” Julian said, his voice soft and choked with emotion.
Clara looked at the leather journal, tears instantly swelling in her eyes as she covered her mouth with a trembling hand.
“She loved you so much, Julian,” Clara whispered.
May you like
Julian stepped forward, dropping to his knees beside her chair, wrapping his arms around the woman who had sacrificed everything to keep his family alive.
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