EPILOGUE — The Balcony
One year later.
The penthouse looked different.
The glass balcony where Lily had once shivered in terror was now filled with flowers.
A small reading chair overlooked the skyline.
It had become Lily's favorite place.
One chilly evening, we stood there watching snowflakes drift over Manhattan.
She slipped her tiny hand into mine.
"Daddy?"
"Yes?"
"Do you think Mommy can see us?"
I smiled toward the sky.
"I think she's smiling."
Lily looked up with the first completely carefree smile I'd seen since losing her mother.
"I think so too."
The cold wind still blew across the balcony.
But it no longer carried fear.
Only laughter.
Only hope.
And the quiet certainty that love had finally become stronger than cruelty.
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For the first time in a very long time...
We were home.
