Chapter 23 - The Horizon Remains
Years later, a teenage Lily stood on the cliffs overlooking the harbor.
She was applying to engineering programs at mainland universities. She wanted to build ships, massive vessels that could cross the oceans.
Liam stood beside her, his hair graying slightly at the temples, his face lined with the comfortable wear of a life lived in the sun.
"Are you scared for me to leave?" Lily asked, leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I will miss you every day," Liam said honestly. "But I am not scared. You are strong, Maya. You can navigate any storm."
She looked at him, her eyes bright and filled with profound gratitude. She knew parts of their history, the broad strokes of why they had run, but she never felt the weight of it. Liam had carried that burden entirely on his own shoulders so she wouldn't have to.
May you like
"I'll always come back to the harbor, Papa," she promised.
"I know," Liam smiled. "I'll keep the engines running."
