Chapter 34 - The College Acceptance
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The letter arrived in a thick, glossy envelope.
Miles ran into the house, completely ignoring Barnaby’s excited barks, and sprinted into the living room where Adrian, Claire, and Evelyn were gathered around the television.
"It came!" Miles shouted, waving the envelope in the air.
Adrian immediately muted the television, his heart hammering.
"Open it," Claire urged, clasping her hands together.
Miles tore the envelope open with shaking fingers. He pulled out the heavy cardstock letter, his eyes rapidly scanning the first paragraph.
A massive, brilliant smile broke across his face.
"I got in," Miles whispered, staring at the letter. "I got into the architecture program at Columbia."
Claire screamed, jumping up and pulling Miles into a crushing hug. Adrian joined them, laughing and clapping his son on the back.
Evelyn watched them from her wheelchair, tears welling in her eyes.
"Columbia," Evelyn breathed, her voice thick with pride. "That is an exceptional institution, Miles."
"Thanks, Grandma," Miles beamed, stepping over to give her a gentle, careful hug.
Adrian looked at his son, seeing the bright, unburdened future stretching out before him. Miles wasn't carrying the toxic legacy of the Vale empire. He wasn't weighed down by secrets or manufactured fears.
He was free to build whatever he wanted.
That night, after the celebration had quieted down and Miles had gone to bed, Adrian walked out to the back porch. The air was cool and smelled of impending rain.
Claire stepped out a moment later, wrapping her arms around him from behind.
"We did it," Claire whispered into his back.
"He did it," Adrian corrected softly.
"We gave him the safe ground to do it on," Claire insisted, turning him around to face her.
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Adrian looked into his wife’s eyes, seeing the incredible strength and resilience that had saved them all.
"We gave each other the safe ground," Adrian promised, kissing her deeply under the night sky.
