Chapter 14 - Rebuilding the Foundation
The following week marked a turning point in our recovery.
With the legal chaos behind us, we turned our focus back to healing—both physically and emotionally. Cousin Sarah stopped by on Saturday afternoon with a homemade lasagna and a bouquet of wildflowers, apologizing profusely for not realizing sooner how dangerous Phyllis’s presence had become.
“You couldn't have known, Sarah,” I told her as we sat on the back patio. “None of us knew how deep the rot went.”
“Well, I’m just glad Clara is healing, and you’re both safe,” Sarah smiled warmly. “If you ever need help around the house while Clara is finishing her recovery, you know my number.”
As Sarah left, I walked back inside to check on Clara. She was sitting at the kitchen island, sketching architectural designs for a kitchen remodel—something she had always wanted to do.
“What do you think?” she asked, turning her notebook toward me. “I was thinking we take down that old spice rack wall, open up the whole space, let more natural light in.”
I looked at the spot on the wall where the dark, ominous leather album had once rested—the relic of a murdered past.
May you like
“Take it all down,” I smiled, kissing the top of her head. “Let’s build a brand new kitchen. A brand new house. A brand new life.”
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