Page 115 of Monk

Dinner was loud and chaotic in the best way. Tatum talked nonstop, her fork waving in the air as she recounted yet another story from school. David grumbled good-naturedly about the physical therapy, though I could see the pride in his eyes when he looked at Lina. Lina laughed—really laughed—for the first time in what felt like forever.

And I sat there, surrounded by the three people who mattered most, and felt something I hadn’t felt in years.

Peace.

After dinner, Lina sent Tatum upstairs to get ready for bed. David wheeled himself into the living room to watch the news. And I helped Lina clean up the kitchen. We worked in comfortable silence, moving around each other like we’d been doing this for years.

She washed. I dried.

Every so often, our hands would brush, and she’d glance at me with a small smile. When the last dish was put away, I leaned against the counter and watched her. She was wiping down the table, her movements efficient and practiced.

“What?” she asked, glancing up at me.

“Nothing,” I said. “Just... this.”

She straightened, her brow furrowing. “This?”

“Yeah,” I said, gesturing vaguely. “This. All of it.”

She walked over to me, her expression softening. “What about it?”

I reached out and pulled her into my arms, resting my chin on top of her head. “I never thought I’d have this,” I said quietly. “A family. A home. Someone who...” I trailed off, the words catching in my throat.

Lina pulled back just enough to look up at me. “Someone who what?” she asked gently.

“Someone who loves me,” I said, my voice rough. “Someone who sees all the fucked-up shit I’ve done and still chooses to stay.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “John.”

“I don’t deserve you,” I said, cupping her face. “I don’t deserve any of this. But I’m not letting it go. I’m not lettingyougo. Not ever.”

She kissed me then, a soft, slow, leisurely kiss full of promise. When she pulled back, she smiled. “Good,” she said. “Because you’re stuck with me.”

I laughed, the sound rough and raw. “Yeah,” I said. “I am.”

And for the first time in my life, I was okay with that.

More than okay.

I wasgrateful.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Monk

The funny thing about happiness is that eventually, when the real world shows up, it will destroy everything.

For the last week, I had been living in a dream. Waking up next to Lina every morning, her body warm and soft against mine. Watching Tatum run through the fields, her laughter carrying on the wind. Sitting at the dinner table with David, listening to him grumble about physical therapy while secretly grinning at his own stubbornness.

It had been perfect.

Too perfect, and I knew, somewhere deep in my gut, it wouldn’t last.

And I was right.

The sun hadn’t risen yet when I slipped out of bed. The room was still dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of dawn creeping through the curtains. Lina was asleep beside me, her hair spread across the pillow, one arm draped over the space where I had been lying.

She looked peaceful, beautiful, and I hated that I had to leave her.