Chapter 9 - THE NEW DAWNOne week later, the federal seals were removed from my house. The forensic teams had finished their work, the broken doors were replaced with reinforced steel, and the courtyard was bathed in the warm, golden light of a Mexican spring.
I stood under the old orange tree where it had all begun.
The filthy doghouse was gone, replaced by a bright, beautiful wooden playground with a green slide and a tire swing.
A pair of small, hesitant footsteps approached behind me.
I turned around.
Mateo stood there, wearing a clean blue shirt and brand-new sneakers. He looked healthier, his cheeks fuller, the scars on his arms fading under proper medical care. He looked up at me with large, dark eyes—eyes that still carried a shadow of the past, but were finally beginning to sparkle with the bright curiosity of a six-year-old boy.
“Mamá?” he whispered softly.
My heart swelled until it felt like it would burst. I dropped to my knees and opened my arms wide.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
He ran forward, throwing his small arms around my neck, burying his face against my shoulder just like I had dreamed of for five agonizing years. He smelled like baby soap, clean laundry, and warm sunshine.
“I’ve got you, my love,” I choked out, tears of pure joy finally spilling over my cheeks. “I’m here. I’m never leaving again.”
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“Can we stay here forever?” he asked, looking up at the house.
“Forever and always,” I promised him, kissing his hair. “This is our home. No one will ever hurt us again.”
