Chapter 20
Chapter 20: The Open Door
Two years to the exact day since they had fled the nightmare in the middle of the night.
The backyard of the house was entirely transformed. String lights were draped across the oak trees, casting a warm, magical glow over the lawn. A long wooden table was set with food, wine, and laughter.
It was a celebration of life.
The yard was filled with genuine friends. There were no hushed, terrified whispers. There were no performative smiles.
Leo, now three years old, was running across the grass with a golden retriever puppy they had adopted a month prior. He tripped over his own feet, tumbled into the soft grass, and immediately popped back up with a joyous shriek, the dog licking his face.
Ava stood on the porch, leaning against the wooden railing.
She wore a simple, elegant white dress. The emerald ring sparkled on her right hand.
Arthur walked up beside her, handing her a glass of sparkling cider.
"It's a good party," Arthur noted, looking at the vibrant, loud, beautiful chaos in their backyard.
"It's a perfect party," Ava corrected.
She took a sip of the cider. She looked at the sturdy brick walls of her home. She looked at her father, who had moved heaven and earth to protect her. She looked at her son, who would never know the sound of a raised voice in anger.
The trauma was no longer the author of her story. It was just a chapter in a book she had already finished reading.
May you like
Ava took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cool, sweet evening air.
The storm was entirely gone. The ground was dry. And the horizon stretched out before them, endless, brilliant, and completely their own.
