Chapter 19 - THE NEW CHAPTER
A year after the night at the dog bowl, 104 Whisper Pines Lane hosted its first proper family gathering.
It was a crisp, golden autumn afternoon. The backyard was filled with laughter, music, and the delicious aroma of an outdoor barbecue. Daniel’s younger sister, Sarah, had flown in from California with her two young sons, and Marcus Vance had joined them for dinner along with his wife.
Children ran across the manicured lawn with Duke chasing closely behind, their energetic barks and shrieks of joy echoing under the clear blue sky.
Inside the kitchen, the long dining table was set for eight people—adorned with colorful autumn flowers, polished silverware, and warm candlelight.
Daniel walked over to the patio doors, holding two glasses of lemonade, and handed one to his sister Sarah.
"She looks so happy, Dan," Sarah said softly, watching Emma play tag with her cousins on the grass. "You saved her."
Daniel took a sip of his drink, his eyes never leaving his daughter. "We saved each other, Sarah. If she hadn't looked up at me that night, I might have stayed blind forever."
"Have you heard anything about Victoria?" Sarah asked quietly.
May you like
"Nothing," Daniel replied calmly. "She moved out of state to complete her probation in Ohio. She’s completely gone from our lives."
"Good," Sarah said, clinking her glass against his. "To new beginnings."
