Chapter 29 - The Horizon UnbrokenThe sun dipped low over the Westport hills, casting long, golden fingers across the meadow, turning the tall grass into a sea of amber and fire.
The family had gathered on the front lawn—Miles attempting to teach Sophie how to throw a Frisbee without tripping over her own feet, Grace supervising with clipboard-level seriousness, and Nathaniel and Elena sitting side by side on the grass, watching the glorious, chaotic mess of their everyday lives unfold.
"Do you ever think about what would have happened if I hadn't gone to that engagement party?" Nathaniel asked quietly, resting his arm across his knees.
"We would have stayed ghosts," Elena answered without hesitation, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Living in parallel universes, wondering what went wrong."
"I'm glad I invited you," Nathaniel said, turning to press a kiss into her chestnut hair. "It was the worst business decision I ever made. And the best life decision."
From across the lawn, Miles shouted at the top of his lungs, "Dad! Come on! The aliens are attacking the Frisbee!"
Nathaniel groaned with theatrical exhaustion, pushing himself up from the grass and dusting off his jeans. He looked back down at Elena, who was smiling up at him with eyes full of a love that no amount of money could ever buy or sell.
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"Duty calls," Nathaniel grinned, offering her his hand.
Elena took it, letting him pull her up to her feet. Hand in hand, surrounded by the laughter of their children, the warmth of the Westport sun, and a horizon entirely free of glass towers and corporate chains, they walked out into the open field together.
