Chapter 12 - Brave DayEvery November 14 became Brave Day.
They celebrated the day Lily had chosen to call her father.
Not because the night itself was beautiful.
It wasn't.
But because courage had been born from it.
They ate pancakes.
Went to amusement parks.
Played games.
At dinner, everyone shared one thing they were proud of.
Lily always said:
“Being brave.”
Noah usually said something involving dinosaurs.
Daniel always said:
“Being your dad.”
The children laughed.
Emma squeezed his hand beneath the table.
Years passed.
The house became louder.
The family became stronger.
And Daniel slowly stopped thinking about Claire.
Not because he forgot.
Because she no longer mattered.
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She had once controlled his future.
Now she couldn't control his memories.
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Chapter 13 - The SurpriseTwo years into their marriage, Emma became pregnant.
Chapter 14 - Ten Years LaterTen years after that terrible phone call, the family gathered for Brave Day.
Chapter 15 - The Ghost From the PastClaire was still in prison.
Chapter 16 - Lily's ChoiceLily eventually told Daniel she wanted to speak publicly about child neglect.
Chapter 17 - The LetterOn Lily's eighteenth birthday, Daniel gave her a small wooden box.
Chapter 18 - The Real VictoryThat summer, the whole family traveled together.
