Chapter 9 - Healing the Broken Bonds

Tears pooled in Lucia’s eyes as she listened. The heavy burden of doubt and anger she had carried for over a year began to break apart.
"Uncle Victor lied?" she asked, her voice small and fragile.
"He lied," I confirmed softly, reaching out slowly. "I loved your mommy more than anything in this world. And I love you, Valentina, and Mia more than my own life."
Lucia looked at the photo, then looked up at me. Slowly, she leaned forward, set the photo aside, and wrapped her small arms around my neck.
"I missed you, Daddy," she sobbed into my shoulder.
May you like
I pulled her close, resting my chin against her head as tears blurred my own eyes for the first time since the day Isabella died. Behind us, Valentina and Mia ran over, joining the embrace, wrapping their small arms around both of us.
The silence that had haunted our home was gone—replaced not by grief, but by the quiet beginning of healing.