Chapter 12 - A Mother’s Chair Reclaimed
Two months later, spring arrived in Philadelphia.
The gardens of the Marzano estate bloomed with lavender and white hydrangeas.
The broken stained glass had been replaced with clear, sunlight-filled crystal.
Every Saturday morning, a special tutor visited the mansion.
Not just for Lucy.
For the whole household.
Adrian sat at the head of the breakfast table, his large hands carefully forming
the shapes of the alphabet.
He made a mistake on the letter 'R'.
Lucy giggled, reaching over to adjust his thumb.
She signed: Slow down, Dad.
Adrian chuckled, kissing her forehead.
“I’m trying, teacher.”
Owen signed More juice with surprising speed, earning a high-five from Maya.
I sat across from Adrian, pouring fresh coffee.
My heart felt so full it ached.
For seven months, I had walked through these halls like a ghost in an apron.
Now, my clothes hung in the master suite’s private dressing room.
Adrian looked across the table at me.
His fingers moved under the morning light:
Beautiful.
I blushed, biting my lip.
Flatterer, I signed back.
May you like
Lucy caught our exchange and nudged her brother, rolling her eyes in dramatic
twelve-year-old amusement.
