Chapter 4 - A New Morning
Morning sunlight filtered softly through the motel curtains.
For the first time in over a year, Sarah woke up to silence.
There was no shouting from downstairs.
There were no harsh orders demanding breakfast at 6:00 AM.
Beside her, baby Leo was sleeping peacefully, his tiny hands tucked against his chest.
Sarah sat up slowly, feeling the soft mattress beneath her.
The room was small and simple, but it felt warmer than Evelyn's grand house.
The bathroom door opened, and Mark stepped out, already dressed.
He smiled softly when he saw Sarah awake.
"Good morning, resting beauty," Mark said gently.
"How are you feeling?"
"I slept," Sarah said, her voice filled with quiet wonder.
"I actually slept through the whole night."
Mark walked over and kissed her forehead.
"You deserved every minute of it," he said.
He picked up two paper cups of hot coffee and a bag of breakfast sandwiches from the small table.
"I went out early and grabbed us breakfast," Mark said, setting the food on the bed.
Sarah smiled, taking a cup of warm coffee into her hands.
"Mark, what are we going to do about a place to live?" she asked gently.
"Motels will get expensive quickly."
Mark sat down beside her and pulled out his phone.
"I called Sam this morning," Mark said.
Sam was Mark's boss at the auto repair shop downtown.
He was a good, hardworking man who had treated Mark like family for years.
"What did Sam say?" Sarah asked.
"I told him we left my mother's place," Mark explained.
"Sam told me he has a small apartment above his old storage garage."
"It's two bedrooms, clean, and fully furnished."
"He said we can move in today and pay whatever rent we can afford until we get on our feet."
Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes once again.
"Really?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"He's giving us a place today?"
"Today," Mark confirmed with a warm smile.
"He even offered me extra shifts at the shop so we can save up."
Sarah set her coffee down and hugged Mark tightly around his shoulders.
"Thank you, Mark," she whispered against his neck.
"Thank you for standing up for us."
"You don't ever have to thank me for protecting my family," Mark said softly.
Baby Leo woke up with a soft gurgle, stretching his little arms.
Mark reached down and lifted Leo into the air, making the baby giggle.
May you like
"Come on, little guy," Mark laughed.
"Let's go look at our new home."
