Chapter 10 - The Unmasked Home
One year later.
The summer sun shone bright and warm over the Whitaker estate.
The rose bushes were in full, glorious bloom—deep red, soft pink, and brilliant white flowers filling the air with a sweet, rich fragrance.
Near the center of the garden, a wide wooden patio table was set for lunch. Fresh lemonade, stone-baked pizzas, and bowls of bright summer fruit covered the table.
Caleb, now four years old, was running through the automatic lawn sprinklers, screaming with delight while holding his brown rabbit—its blue-stitched ear still holding strong—high above his head so it wouldn't get wet.
Sophie, eight years old, sat at the table with her grandmother—Anna’s mother, who had finally returned to visit us regularly after years of distant grief. They were looking through a photo album, filling the terrace with cheerful chatter.
I stood near the french doors, wearing a simple linen shirt and dark trousers, holding a glass of iced tea.
Grace walked out from the house, wearing a floral summer dress that caught the soft breeze. Her hair was down, falling in soft waves over her shoulders. She walked over to me, setting her hand gently against my back.
"They're having fun," Grace smiled, watching Caleb dodge a burst of water from the sprinkler.
"They're happy," I corrected softly, setting my glass down and turning to wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close. "We're all happy."
Six months ago, I had stopped paying Grace a salary. Three months ago, she had officially moved her things into the master suite. And on her left ring finger, a simple, elegant emerald band caught the bright sunlight—not a flash of corporate wealth, but a promise of real, unconditional partnership.
Sophie looked up from the photo album, seeing us standing together near the roses.
"Daddy! Grace! Come look at this picture!" Sophie called out, waving her hand frantically. "It's Mommy and Daddy at the beach!"
I looked down at Grace, kissing her forehead softly. "Ready?"
"Always," Grace smiled, taking my hand.
We walked down the stone steps together, joining our family at the long table under the sunlit sky.
May you like
There were no disguises left in this house. No hidden rules, no silent fears, and no masks buried in the dirt.
The gardener had finally come inside, and for the first time in a very long time, home was exactly where we belonged.
