Chapter 24 - One Year LaterRyan bought a smaller house near a lake.
Natalie lived ten minutes away.
They did not magically become a couple again.
Too much had happened.
Instead, they learned how to become parents together.
Slowly.
Honestly.
Evan became fiercely protective of Lily.
Lily started school.
She stopped hiding food beneath her pillow.
She stopped waking up screaming.
And eventually, she stopped being afraid of closed doors.
One Saturday morning, Ryan found both children sitting on the kitchen floor.
For one terrible second, the sight pulled him backward.
Then Lily laughed.
They were building a cardboard castle.
Evan looked up.
“Dad, we need another box.”
Ryan smiled.
“I'll find one.”
He turned away.
Then Lily called after him.
“Daddy?”
Ryan stopped.
That word no longer frightened him.
“Yeah?”
“I love you.”
May you like
Ryan smiled.
“I love you too.”
