CHAPTER 14: THE FIRST GLIMMER
Two months passed.
The Vance home was transformed. The shadows that had once haunted the hallways were replaced by wide-open curtains, allowing natural light to flood every corner of the house. Clara and Marcus Vance were formally indicted on multiple counts of attempted murder, child endangerment, and grand larceny, facing decades behind federal bars without parole.
On a warm Saturday morning in late spring, Lily sat on the living room rug, playing with colored wooden blocks. Her thick corrective lenses were temporary, but her eyes followed the movements of her hands with growing precision.
The front door opened, and Leo walked in, wearing his new school uniform and carrying a backpack full of art projects.
Lily turned her head toward the sound of footsteps. Her eyes widened behind her glasses. She squinted slightly, studying the shape and colors in front of her.
"Leo?" she called out softly.
Leo froze by the doorway, his breath catching in his throat. "You... you know who I am?"
"You're tall," Lily giggled, standing up and taking three confident steps toward him without her cane. "And your shirt is green! Like the big oak tree!"
May you like
Leo dropped his backpack and dropped to his knees as Lily wrapped her small arms around his neck. Over her shoulder, Leo looked up at Mark, who stood in the kitchen doorway with tears streaming down his smiling face.
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