Chapter 20 - The Box of Shadows

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Moving is a process of unpacking not just physical items, but emotional baggage. The heavy moving truck had dropped off the last of their belongings from the city penthouse two days ago, and Clara and Richard had been slowly organizing the boxes in the spare rooms.

Richard was in the study, cutting open a large cardboard box labeled "Leo’s Room - Miscellaneous," when Leo wandered in, dragging his favorite stuffed bear behind him.

“Can I help you unpack, Daddy?” Leo asked, peering over the edge of the cardboard.

“Of course, buddy. Let’s see what we have in here.”

Richard pulled out a stack of picture books, a few wooden puzzles, and a plastic container of building blocks. But as he reached near the bottom, his hand brushed against a cold, metallic object. He pulled it out. It was an incredibly expensive, silver-plated music box that Leo’s mother had bought for him.

Leo’s entire demeanor changed the second he saw it. He took a rapid step backward, his eyes widening in sudden panic, and he hid behind Richard’s leg.

“I don’t like that box,” Leo whispered, his voice trembling slightly. “She used to play it when she was very angry and locked me in the dark room.”

Richard’s blood ran entirely cold. A fierce, protective rage flared in his chest, but he forced his facial muscles to remain completely calm for his son. He looked at the expensive, silver music box, realizing it was nothing more than a vessel of trauma.

“You know what, Leo?” Richard said evenly, standing up.

“What?”

“I don’t like this box either. In fact, I think it is an incredibly ugly box, and it doesn't belong in our new house.”

Richard walked directly over to the heavy metal trash bin in the corner of the study. He didn't gently place the box inside; he threw it with force. The silver music box shattered against the bottom of the bin with a satisfying, broken crunch.

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Leo peeked out from behind his father’s leg, a slow, relieved smile spreading across his small face.

“It’s gone,” Richard promised, picking Leo up and kissing his forehead. “Only good memories allowed in this house.”