Chapter 5: A New Beginning
The house felt different the next morning.
Quieter.
Warmer.
Like it could finally breathe.
Sunlight filled the kitchen—the real kitchen—as Sarah stood there, unsure if she was allowed to touch anything.
I walked in, picked up a plate, and handed it to Jamie.
“Go on,” I said. “Eat whatever you want.”
He hesitated.
Then smiled.
And ran.
Sarah watched him, tears in her eyes.
“I didn’t know if you’d believe me,” she said softly.
I stepped closer.
“I should’ve come home sooner,” I admitted.
She shook her head. “You came when it mattered.”
That was enough.
In the weeks that followed, everything changed.
New locks. New accounts. New beginnings.
Gertrude and Prudence? Gone.
Their names became something we didn’t need to say anymore.
One evening, Jamie ran across the marble floor—laughing this time—straight into my arms.
Just like I had imagined.
Only now, it meant something real.
May you like
Because this time…
He wasn’t hungry.
