Henry didn’t back down.
“I did it for this family,” he said coldly. “She was nothing. I protected what’s ours.”
“I will never forgive you,” Nathan replied. “Leave. You’re done here. And if I find proof you used company resources for this… I will turn you in myself.”
Henry hesitated—but something in Nathan’s eyes stopped him. Without another word, he left.
The house felt different the moment he was gone.
Lily didn’t wait. She called Claire.
When Ethan heard her voice, he broke completely.
“Mom! It’s me! I can talk now!”
On the other end, Claire sobbed.
“My baby… I’m coming. I’m coming home.”
That hour felt endless.
When the door finally opened, everything changed.
Claire rushed inside and dropped to her knees. Ethan ran into her arms, clinging to her as if afraid she’d disappear again. Nathan wrapped his arms around both of them, apologizing over and over.
Lily stood nearby, watching quietly, tears slipping down her face.
In the weeks that followed, life slowly returned.
Ethan found his voice again—not just words, but laughter, emotion, joy.