Months passed, and Nathan changed.
He cut his work hours, picked Lily up from school, helped with homework, even learned to braid her hair.
Claire softened, though the hurt lingered. They began spending more time together — dinners, laughter, small moments that slowly stitched the years back together.
One night, while painting Lily’s new room, Claire whispered, “This feels like home.”
Nathan smiled. “It is.”
Eventually, he confessed, “I never stopped loving you. I just didn’t know how to find you.”
She hesitated. “I’m scared.”
“So am I,” he said, taking her hand. “But maybe we can be scared together.”
