Chapter 15: The Gift of Tomorrow
A year had passed since the bells of Saint Jude’s Cathedral toll for a funeral that never should have been.
On a bright Sunday morning, Gabriel and Clara walked down to the rocky coastline, holding hands. The ocean stretched out endlessly before them, shimmering like silver beneath the vast blue sky.
Bruno bounded ahead, chasing seagulls along the wet sand before returning to circle them protectively, his coat glistening in the morning light.
Gabriel stopped at the edge of the tide, looking down at his daughter. She had grown taller, stronger, full of questions, laughter, and unshakeable joy.
He realized then that true strength was never about how many men feared your name or how much territory you controlled. True strength was the courage to lay down your weapons, to choose love over vengeance, and to protect the innocent souls entrusted to your care.
Clara looked up at him, her smile reflecting the morning sun. “Race you to the lighthouse, Daddy!”
“You’re on!” Gabriel laughed.
May you like
As Clara took off running, her laughter carried by the ocean wind, Bruno sprinted right alongside her—the faithful beast who had heard a whisper of life when the whole world saw only death.
Gabriel ran after them, stepping forward into a tomorrow they had fought so hard to win.
