Page 114 of When Forever Falls Apart

Without hesitation, I throw myself into his arms, my heart swelling as I fight the emotions of the little girl who has always needed her daddy. A man who has battled his own demons and needs time to heal the wounds he has carried for the longest time.

“I love you, Dad,” I whisper, the sincerity of my words wrapping around us like a warm embrace.

He pulls back gently, lifting my chin with a careful touch. “I don’t deserve your love, but I am glad I have it. Enjoy the night, darling.”

My eyes soften with gratitude as he turns away, but then he pauses briefly to exchange a bittersweet glance with my mother.

I wished for a different narrative for them, but perhaps their story is still being written.

Only time will tell.

Holding the envelope in my trembling hands, I open it, holding my breath.

Dearest Madelina,

This belongs to you.

You were, and always will be, the light of this home.

You, my darling daughter, will forever remain my little girl.

The reason I will spend the rest of my life trying to be a better man.

A father you always deserved.

Love, Dad.

As I read those profound words, a tear escapes, cascading onto the paper and blurring the ink. I gently slide the letter aside, revealing the deed to Beaumont Manor.

Elliot’s warm hands wrap around my waist as he leans in, planting a soft kiss on my neck. “Are you okay, wifey?”

A hopeless smile turns into a laugh as I spin around to meet the gaze of my husband. “Let’s get this party started, shall we?” I say with excitement. “You know what they say about marrying your best friend’s older brother?”

“What do they say, Mrs. Woods?” Elliot teases with a grin.

“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see…”

“It’shuge,”Billie exclaims, her eyes wide as she gazes at the sprawling home, which sits on the large rural estate surrounded by once manicured lawns.

Beside me, Elliot snickers, “That’s what she said.”

I give him a playful nudge in the ribs, suppressing a laugh.

The three of us, five including Douglas and Margaret Anne, who are now besties, stand before the grand estate.

My entire life, this manor has been my family’s home. There were good memories, but many were outweighed by the bad.

As we stand here taking it in, the manor now feels like a blank canvas. The dark stone, covered in overgrown vines, is screaming for attention. I envision a color change, perhaps with fresh paint and pretty flowers, to brighten up the dull facade.

Billie lets out a thoughtful sigh. “It has so much potential. It could be anything.”

“How about a restaurant?” I say, glancing at Elliot with hopeful eyes. Having a chef for a husband has its perks. The man can cook, and his imagination when it comes to food blows my mind. He introduced me to many dishes I wouldn’t usually eat, and I fell in love with them. It turns out, beets are delicious. “Cooking is your passion, and this could be your chance to introduce French cuisine to Cinnamon Springs. You always talk about it.”

A glimmer of ambition lingers in his gaze. Elliot has been so busy with Donuts Ever After and helping Eva with the new store, but I know he craves more.

“How about a restaurant with a library? You love books and could have a different room for each genre,” Elliot adds to the pool of ideas.

I nod with a relaxed smile, imagining the scent of old books lingering in the air. “A library would be cool. The spiral staircase in the foyer is a showstopper.”