Chapter 13 - Lily’s Tenth Birthday
For Lily’s tenth birthday, the whole community gathered at the newly renovated community pavilion—a charity project Thomas had overseen and funded. The lawn was decorated with rainbow balloons, echoing the dress she had worn three years ago.
Mark stood beside Thomas, watching Lily chase friends through sprinkler spray. "She never forgot what she did that day, Thomas. But now she sees courage isn't about saving an adult; it's about speaking the truth when you're terrified."
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"She saved two lives that day," Thomas smiled. "Mine, and Elena's from committing murder."
Lily ran up, handing Thomas the first slice of vanilla birthday cake. "Eat this one, Uncle Thomas. I made it with Mom, and there's only extra strawberries inside!" The guests laughed, a wholesome, restorative sound that cleansed the ghosts of weddings past.
