Five years later.
The house smelled like warm bread and strawberry jam.49Please respect copyright.PENANAfc0pO9W51H
Angelique, now 9, sat by the window with a book in her lap and paint on her cheeks.
Samantha stood in the garden, barefoot in the morning dew, watching Ryan build their tiny greenhouse—finally pursuing his quiet dream of growing something that never needed fixing.
"That tomato's crooked," she teased.
"Still growing though," Ryan replied with a grin.49Please respect copyright.PENANAPxArPpmiIS
"Like me."
Samantha smiled and leaned against the post, her fingers tracing the gold band on her ring finger.
Later that afternoon, a package arrived.
Inside was a fresh copy of her second book—this time not about pain, but about peace.
Angelique peeked over her shoulder. "Is it about Daddy again?"
Samantha paused.
"Yes," she whispered.49Please respect copyright.PENANAqp9tUjlDLw
"But it's also about you. About how we found light after everything tried to put it out."
Angelique smiled and hugged her from behind.
That evening, as the stars came out and laughter filled the kitchen, Samantha looked at them—her daughter, her husband, her home.
No fear.49Please respect copyright.PENANAomKYMuzRaP
No ache.49Please respect copyright.PENANAqms7s8Wyhz
Just love.
She didn't just survive her story.
She rewrite it.49Please respect copyright.PENANA9pxOEAbd36
And this ending?49Please respect copyright.PENANAcixKKGr4vn
Was hers.
🕊️ The real victory was her peace.49Please respect copyright.PENANAaFbtX9f5hJ
And peace... looked just like this.
49Please respect copyright.PENANAkg2Y8U25RY