Chapter 10 - A New Sunrise
It is exactly one year later.
August 17th.
The anniversary of the night everything shattered.
But today is not a day of mourning.
It is a day of celebration.
I am standing in my own backyard, stringing up fairy lights.
There is no white tablecloth.
There is no expensive mushroom soup.
There is only a bright pink plastic table covered in cupcakes and juice boxes.
Maisie is turning three today.
She is running across the grass, chasing bubbles that Chloe is blowing from a wand.
Her laughter rings through the warm summer air.
It is the most beautiful sound in the world.
She is happy, healthy, and completely fearless.
There is no hesitation in her eyes.
There are no flinches when someone raises a hand to wave.
She knows she is fiercely protected.
Evan is not here.
He sent a gift—a beautiful wooden dollhouse—which Maisie loves.
He is making progress in his therapy, and his supervised visits are peaceful.
He is trying to be a better man, but he does it from a distance.
And that is exactly how it should be.
I look around at the friends and chosen family gathered in my yard.
They are people who bring joy, not anxiety.
They are people who build us up, not tear us down.
I walk over to the table and light the three candles on Maisie’s cake.
I call her over.
She runs to me, throwing her little arms around my legs.
I lift her up, feeling the solid, comforting weight of her against my chest.
“Are you ready to make a wish, my brave girl?” I ask.
She nods eagerly, her eyes reflecting the tiny flames.
But I don't need to make a wish.
Everything I could ever want is right here in my arms.
Safe.
Loved.
And free.
I smile as she blows out the candles.
The smoke drifts up into the clear blue sky.
May you like
The past is finally gone.
And the future is ours to write.
