Chapter 17 - A Mother’s KitchenMonths passed.
The beach house became a home.
Maria planted roses.
Noah repaired the old dock.
Julian learned how to cook.
Badly.
One evening, the three of them sat around the kitchen table.
Maria laughed as Julian burned the bread.
“You own half of Manhattan.”
“Apparently I can't make toast.”
Noah laughed.
The sound filled the room.
Julian looked at them.
For years, he had believed happiness meant having more.
More money.
More power.
More control.
Now he understood.
Happiness was hearing your mother laugh in the kitchen.
It was knowing your brother would answer when you called.
It was waking up without fear.
May you like
The nightmare was finally over.
Or so Julian believed.
