Chapter 4 - The House by the SeaTwo weeks later, Julian and Maria lived in a small coastal house far from Manhattan.
It was nothing like the penthouse.
The ceilings were low.
The floors creaked.
The kitchen was old.
The windows rattled whenever the Atlantic wind became violent.
Julian loved it.
For the first time in his life, he woke without an alarm.
Maria cooked every morning.
Sometimes they talked for hours.
Sometimes they sat silently.
They were learning how to become mother and son.
One evening, Julian found Maria sitting alone on the porch.
“Do you regret finding me?”
She looked at him.
“Every day I regret that I lost you.”
“That isn't what I asked.”
Maria smiled sadly.
“No.”
She reached for his hand.
“I don't regret finding you.”
Julian sat beside her.
“Tell me everything.”
Maria's expression darkened.
“I will.”
But before she could speak, headlights appeared on the distant road.
One car.
Then another.
Then a third.
Julian stood.
Maria's face went white.
“Mom?”
May you like
She whispered four words.
“They found us.”
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