Chapter 13 - What True Wealth Looks LikeAt the kitchen table, Toby was coloring his marigold drawing while Julian sat across from him, looking at his nephew with genuine remorse.
"Toby," Julian said, his voice breaking. "I'm sorry. I should have stood between you and that woman. I was a coward."
Toby looked up from his crayons, examining his uncle's face with that pure, piercing honesty only children possess. "Did you feel scared too, Uncle Julian?"
Julian nodded slowly, tears welling in his eyes. "Yes, buddy. I was scared of losing things that didn't even matter."
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Toby slid his yellow crayon across the table. "You can color with me if you want. Mom says mistakes are just rough sketches before you make something nice."
Julian covered his face with his hands, weeping silently in the bright kitchen, while Claire quietly poured another cup of tea.
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Chapter 14 - The Return of the BoutonnièreTwo weeks later, the front page of the city’s major newspaper published Evelyn Vance’s signed statement. The apology was formal, unvarnished, and accompanied by a receipt for the donation to the Children’s Hospital.
Chapter 15 - The Architecture of GraceA year passed, bringing another golden autumn to the city.
