Chapter 10 - The Foundation of Family
The house smelled of baking sugar and vanilla. It had been three months since the trial. I walked into the backyard and stopped by the glass doors. Daniela was sitting on the grass, a permanent fixture in our lives, not as an employee, but as an equal partner in the chaotic joy of this home. Santiago, Nicolás, and Bruno were tumbling over a pile of autumn leaves, their laughter ringing clear and unburdened. Bruno ran up to me, his blue pillow tucked under his arm, and grabbed my hand. "Daddy, come play," he beamed. I looked at Daniela, who smiled, her eyes warm and completely at peace. The shadows were gone. We were finally home.
