Chapter 18 - Reclaiming the Light
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Ethan didn't let Victor Dalton's threat shadow his home.
That summer, Ethan took Maddie and Noah to their lake house in northern Michigan—a quiet, timber-frame lodge situated on the shores of Lake Michigan that had belonged to Emma's family for generations.
There were no board meetings, no financial reports, and no press crews.
They spent their days swimming in the clear, cool lake water, roasting marshmallows over open fire pits, and reading storybooks on the screened porch as the sun dipped below the horizon in shades of pink and gold.
Maddie had turned five in May. She was growing taller, her laugh echoing through the trees, her gray eyes sparkling with light and curiosity.
One evening, as the stars began to appear in the clear northern sky, Maddie sat beside Ethan on the wooden dock, dangling her bare feet into the water.
"Daddy?" she asked, looking up at the moon.
"Yes, Maddie?"
"Do you ever get scared?"
Ethan looked down at his daughter, taking her tiny hand in his. "Sometimes, sweetheart. Everyone gets scared."
"What do you do when you're scared?"
Ethan smiled gently, pulling her close against his side. "I remember the people I love. And I remember that as long as we stand together, no monster in the dark can ever hurt us."
Maddie rested her head against his arm, watching the reflection of the stars rippling on the surface of the lake.
"I'm not scared anymore, Daddy," she whispered softly. "Because you always open the door."
May you like
Ethan swallowed hard, blinking away hot tears, and kissed the top of her head.
"I will always open the door, Maddie," he promised. "Always."
