Chapter 17
Back at the New England estate, the afternoon sun filtered through the tall trees, bathing the lawns in golden warmth.
Martha sat on the front porch rocking chair, painting a canvas while listening to the birds chirp in the courtyard.
The small details of daily life had returned to a peaceful, predictable rhythm of comfort and security.
A courier van pulled up to the main security gates, delivering a final batch of archived legal documents from the state courts.
The head security guard signed for the package, bringing it directly into Ethan's study for final cataloging.
Ethan opened the heavy cardboard box, pulling out a final stack of forgotten papers from his past marriage.
Among them was a handwritten letter from his mother, written during her darkest days of isolation and fear.
He unfolded the fragile paper with trembling fingers, reading her words of love and unshakeable faith in his strength.
May you like
"May this house always stand as a beacon of light against the darkness," he read aloud softly.
A single tear slipped down his cheek, washing away the last remnants of bitterness from his wounded soul.
