Chapter 15
The morning of their departure for Oregon was bright, crisp, and filled with the gentle sounds of nature waking up around Crystal Lake. The car was packed neatly, every box and bag chosen with intention, leaving behind anything that didn't serve their future happiness. Leo sat happily in his car seat, wearing a comfortable blue shirt that matched the morning sky, clutching his wooden toy truck like a prized possession.
Connor stood beside the driver’s side door, taking one final, long look around the cabin that had sheltered their healing over the past year. It had done its work; it had provided a sanctuary where their spirits could knit back together after years of strain. He turned and saw Clara walking up from the dock one last time, her messy blonde hair tied back with a simple ribbon, wearing a soft pink sundress that caught the morning light without a trace of artificial sparkle.
“Ready?” Connor asked, holding out his hand for her to take.
May you like
Clara slipped her fingers into his, their grip strong, steady, and entirely equal. “I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life.”
They climbed into the vehicle, the engine turning over with a smooth, confident hum that promised miles of open road ahead. As they pulled out of the gravel driveway and began the long journey toward the Pacific coast, Connor glanced in the rearview mirror one last time. There were no flashing lights, no angry voices, and no shadows lingering in the distance—only the bright, unbroken highway stretching out before them, and the quiet, radiant promise of a tomorrow they had fought to build together.
