Chapter 19 - A New Beginning
Six months later, Lily turned twelve.
We had a small party in the backyard — just Rachel, a few of Lily’s new friends from school, and us. There was cake and balloons and a puppy Lily had named Scout.
She opened presents and laughed and ran around with her friends until the sun went down.
When everyone left, she sat on the porch swing with me, Scout asleep in her lap.
“Best birthday ever,” she said.
I smiled. “I’m glad.”
She looked at me.
“Mom… are you happy?”
The question surprised me.
I thought about it.
The old house was sold. Ethan and Elena were in prison. Lily was safe and smiling again. We had a home that felt like peace.
“Yes,” I said. “I think I am.”
She nodded, satisfied.
“Good. Because you deserve to be happy too.”
I looked at my daughter — this brave, fierce, incredible girl who had carried so much and still found a way to smile.
She was right.
I did deserve to be happy.
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And I was going to spend the rest of my life making sure she was too.
