Nora arrived with the triplets, all dressed in matching outfits she’d picked out herself. No longer donations. No longer charity.
Just hers.
Adrian greeted them at the door. The triplets ran to him immediately.
“Uncle Marcus is here,” he told Nora. “And my business partner, Kate. I told them everything.”
Nora tensed. “Everything?”
“How I failed you. How I’m trying to do better. I’m not hiding it anymore.”
She studied his face. “You’re ruining your reputation.”
“I’m fixing it. There’s a difference.”
Dinner was warm. Chaotic. Real.
Afterward, as Nora helped clean up, Margaret pulled her aside.
“I need to say something,” Margaret began.
“You’ve apologized—”
“This isn’t an apology. It’s a thank you.”
Nora blinked. “For what?”
“For giving Adrian a reason to become a better man. For not giving up on those babies even when the world gave up on you. For your strength.”
Nora’s eyes filled. “I didn’t feel strong.”
“You were. You are.” Margaret squeezed her hand. “And you’ll always have a place here. Not because of Adrian. Because you’re family.”
Nora nodded, unable to speak.
That night, as Adrian walked her to her car, Nora stopped.
“You kept your word,” she said quietly.
“I’m trying.”