Chapter 23
Emily stood on the balcony, watching Ava water the flowerbeds below.
The little girl twirled in her yellow sundress, humming off–key, cheeks flushed with joy.
“What are you thinking about?” came a voice from behind.
Warm arms wrapped around her, and Nathan rested his chin on her shoulder. He still smelled faintly of hospital disinfectant.
“I was just thinking…” Emily laughed softly before she’d even turned around. “About when we first met. You were buying Ava a picture book.”
Nathan chuckled. His eyes behind those gold–rimmed glasses were impossibly tender.
“And I remember thinking, ‘How is this girl still so beautiful after all these years?“”
“You’re so full of it,” she laughed, swatting his shoulder playfully.
Their laughter drifted down into the yard.
Ava dashed up the stairs like a whirlwind. “What are you two whispering about?”
Nathan scooped her up and kissed her muddy cheek. “I asked if Emily wanted to be with us forever.”
Ava’s eyes lit up. “Really? Like… really really?”
Emily took her into her arms, heart softening like butter in sunlight.
“If Ava wants me to, then yes.”
“I do! I do!” Ava shrieked with glee. She spun toward Nathan. “Then give her a ring! Like they do on TV!”
Blushing, Nathan pulled a small red velvet box from his pocket and dropped to one knee.
“Emily Harper,” his voice shook just a little, “will you-”
“I do,” she answered firmly, cutting him off before he could finish. Her eyes shimmered with tears, but her smile held nothing but joy.
Three months later, the wedding took place under perfect sunshine.
Emily wore a simple white dress, holding a bouquet of wildflowers Ava had picked just for her. Surrounded by blessings, she walked steadily toward
Nathan.
When the officiant announced them husband and wife, Ava jumped into Emily’s arms.
“You are my uncle’s wife now!” she shouted, grinning ear to ear.
Behind the guests, three figures stood alone.
“I’ll handle this,” Nathan whispered, gently squeezing her hand in reassurance.
“No. I’ll go,” Emily said, lifting her skirt and walking toward the gate.
Lily burst forward. “Mommy! You look so pretty!”
Emily stepped back, avoiding her touch. “Why are you here?”
Ethan’s voice was hoarse. “We just… wanted to wish you well.”
“No need,” she replied coolly. “You can go now.”
Her words were soft–but final.
Ethan paled. “Lucas, Lily… let’s go.”
“No!” Lily screamed, clinging to her mother. “Mommy, look at me! Just look at me!”
Emily glanced down at the daughter she once adored, but she didn’t kneel. She gently pushed her arms away.
“Goodbye, Lily. Goodbye, Lucas. Go live your lives.”
“I have a new one now.”
She walked back toward the ceremony. Behind her, their sobs faded into the wind.
Chapter 23
3
In front of her, Ava waved a basket of petals, and Nathan waited with a smile.
Later, Emily would hear from the old housekeeper that the Caldwells were a mess.
Sophia had been kicked out, and Ethan buried himself in work. The kids were sent to boarding school, growing colder and more distant.
They tried to come find her again, but the guards never let them in.
Sometimes, she’d dream of the past–Lucas burning with fever, Lily’s first steps.
But every time she woke up, Nathan would be there to hold her.
“Do you ever regret it?” he asked once, hesitantly.
Emily looked out at Ava playing with two stray kittens in the yard.
“No,” she whispered. “My life is full now. I don’t need to look back.”
“Mommy!” Ava yelled, “Can we keep them?”
“Of course,” she said, brushing the grass from her cheek. “This is our home. What you say goes.”
Sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering gold across their shoulders.
And the shadows from her past?
They never reached her again.
(End)
