Chapter 7 - THE GHOSTS OF THE PASTWith the house suddenly quiet, the oppressive weight that had hung over the walls for months seemed to lift into nothingness. The sunlight pouring through the kitchen windows no longer felt harsh; it felt warm, clean, and real.
Samuel looked up at me, holding his canvas backpack tightly against his chest. "Dad... are the bad people gone forever?"
I knelt down, putting my hands on his small shoulders, looking directly into his bright eyes. "Yes, buddy. They’re gone. And they’re never coming back. You’ll never have to sleep by the utility room again. You have your own room, your own bed, and all the food you want."
Samuel’s face lit up with a brilliant, hesitant smile. He threw his arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. "Can we make pancakes for lunch?"
"We can make whatever you want," Ashley said softly, walking over and joining us on the floor. Tears finally spilled over her lashes, but this time, they were tears of profound relief. She leaned into my shoulder, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"I thought I lost you yesterday," I whispered against her hair. "When I saw you standing by that table..."
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"I was scared," Ashley admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "For a long time, I thought we had no way out. But when you didn't yell... when you played along... I knew you had a plan. You always protect us, Devin."
"We protect each other now," I corrected her, kissing the top of her head. "The game is over. Now, we build something real."
