One Year Later
Chapter 19 - One Year Later
A year after the folded note, the classroom looked completely different.
Daniel was no longer a substitute teacher.
He had accepted a permanent counseling position at the school, helping children dealing with family trauma.
Emma was smiling again.
Noah—who had chosen to keep Noah as his middle name while reclaiming Lucas as his legal first name—split his time between his biological parents and regular visits with Amy.
The Bennetts eventually moved closer.
Strangely, awkwardly, slowly, two families began becoming one extended family.
Amy worked with authorities helping other families connected to Richard's crimes.
She also started therapy.
So did Emma.
So did Daniel.
Nobody pretended that healing was quick.
But one afternoon, Daniel entered the classroom and saw Lucas handing Emma another folded piece of paper.
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“Should I be worried?”
Emma laughed.
“Dad, don't touch it.”
Daniel lifted both hands.
“I learned my lesson.”
Emma opened the note.
May you like
Inside were four words.
Glad we started over.
