Chapter 9 - Epilogue — One Year LaterOne year to the day since Lucy Bennett walked into a billionaire's bedroom with a one-eared rabbit and a story about a turtle, the Greenwich estate looked entirely different.
The oppressive gates were always open now. The grand dining room, once a cold museum of grief, echoed with the clatter of silverware, the smell of fresh baking, and the sound of genuine laughter.
Evan Mercer stood in the doorway of the newly expanded kitchen, watching Nora flip pancakes on the heavy commercial griddle he had ordered twelve months ago.
"You're burning them, Chief," Evan teased, leaning against the doorframe with a relaxed grin.
Nora scoffed, flipping a golden pancake with expert precision. "I've been cooking professionally longer than you've been running a Fortune 500 company, Mr. Mercer. Don't question my technique."
"Dad! Mom! Hurry up! The bus is coming!"
Lucy bolted down the hallway, her backpack swinging wildly, her shoes mismatched once again—though this time by deliberate choice. She skidded to a halt in front of Evan, holding out a crumpled drawing of a giant bear, a firefly star, and a very grumpy-looking turtle.
"For your office," Lucy announced, shoving the paper into his tailored jacket pocket.
Evan crouched down, adjusting her collar. "Thank you, captain. I'll put it right next to the quarterly reports."
"Make sure you do," she ordered solemnly before grabbing her lunchbox and dashing out the back door toward the waiting school bus, shouting a cheerful goodbye.
Evan stood up, watching her go.
Nora walked over, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel, standing beside him in the warm morning light. She leaned her shoulder gently against his.
"You know," Nora murmured, looking out at the gardens, "she still talks about that turtle like it's a real person."
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Evan slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close as the autumn wind rustled through the oak trees.
"Maybe it was," Evan said softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Some stories are too important to just be made up."
