Chapter 5: Whispering Walls
Victoria walked through the quiet corridors of the St. Jude Community Center in the old eastern district—the neighborhood where she and Julian had both grown up before wealth and ambition tore their families apart.
Children were reading in the newly opened library wing, their voices echoing softly against the brick walls. Among them sat the 8-year-old boy, Leo. He was carefully coloring a map, his scuffed sneakers tucked under the wooden chair.
Victoria stopped at the doorway, leaning against the frame. Leo looked up, his big hazel eyes locking onto hers.
"Did you give it to him?" Victoria asked gently.
Leo nodded once. "He looked sad."
"He was surprised," Victoria said, walking over and taking a seat across from him. "Sometimes when people run away from their mistakes for a long time, seeing the truth feels like a shock."
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"Is he going to come here?" Leo asked, holding his crayon tightly.
"That depends on him," Victoria replied softly. "You did your part, Leo. You brought the message home."
