Damian’s eyes met mine, sensing my storm of thoughts. “And Kenneth,” he said, “consider him a closed chapter. Actions have consequences, and today he faced them.”
His words were definitive, a full stop at the end of a chaotic story. I looked at him—my protector, my brother—and managed a small, grateful smile.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice raw with unspoken emotions.
He nodded, understanding everything in those two words. “Family sticks together,” he replied, softer now, filled with warmth.
As we neared the penthouse, a calm settled over me. The building rose tall and inviting, promising a fresh start. Here, I would decide who I was, free from the shadows of a loveless marriage.
Damian accompanied me inside, and I felt hope flicker within me. In the weeks ahead, I would rebuild—not as Kenneth’s wife or a daughter-in-law, but as Lena: strong, resilient, and free.
The future was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, it belonged to me. With Damian by my side, I was ready to write the next chapter—a story where I was the author of my own life.
