Chapter 15 - Flynn Returns To The Lake House
Three years later, Flynn returned to the estate.
It was no longer a private mansion.
A discreet sign near the gate read:
MERCER-CARTER LAND RESTITUTION ARCHIVE.
The name Carter came from Ruth.
Naomi had resisted including Mercer alone.
Sloan agreed.
Flynn entered during public hours.
The grand staircase remained.
So did the western corridor.
Vault Four was now visible behind protective glass.
Selected records had been digitized.
Private personal information remained protected.
Flynn found Sloan in the archive reading room.
He stopped.
“I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“I volunteer Thursdays.”
He almost laughed.
“Of course you do.”
They spoke for ten minutes.
Flynn had moved to another state.
He was in therapy.
He had limited contact with Cordelia.
Sloan did not ask for details.
Then Flynn looked toward the lake.
“I thought this house would make me powerful.”
Sloan answered:
“So did Grandpa.”
Flynn looked surprised.
“He built it.”
“And still couldn’t control what the truth would do.”
Flynn nodded.
Before leaving, he apologized once more for stepping over Sloan.
This time she did not stop him.
“I saw you hurt, and I chose the deed.”
“Yes.”
“I can’t explain that away.”
“No.”
“I’m sorry.”
Sloan believed he meant it.
She also knew sincerity did not rebuild a marriage automatically.
“Thank you.”
That was all.
Flynn left.
Sloan walked toward the staircase.
For years she had avoided stairs whenever possible.
Her body remembered falling.
She placed one hand on the railing.
Then climbed.
One step.
Another.
Another.
Fourteen in all.
At the top she looked down.
Nobody stood behind her.
Nobody demanded a deed.
May you like
Nobody needed to rescue her.
The staircase was only a staircase again.
