Chapter 16 - WHAT DANIEL LEFT HERThat night, Claire opened an old box.
Inside was Daniel's wedding ring.
His photographs.
The blue lunchbox.
And a handwritten note he had never finished.
She unfolded it.
It contained only a few words.
If our son ever asks what kind of man I was, tell him I tried.
Claire closed her eyes.
For years she had wanted Daniel to have been perfect.
Now she understood.
He wasn't perfect.
He had been afraid.
He had made mistakes.
He had waited too long.
But he had tried to do the right thing.
And perhaps that was enough.
Ethan entered the room.
"Mom?"
She wiped her eyes.
"Yeah?"
"Are you sad?"
"A little."
"Because of Daddy?"
She nodded.
Ethan climbed onto the bed.
"I miss him too."
Claire hugged him.
Then he whispered:
"But I have Luca."
Claire smiled.
"Yes."
"And Grandpa."
"Yes."
"And Grandma."
"Yes."
"And you."
May you like
She kissed his forehead.
"Always."
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