Chapter 12 - THE HOUSE THAT CHANGED
A year later, the Caruso mansion no longer felt like the same place.
The armed men were gone.
The private meetings had ended.
Several rooms had been converted into offices for a charitable foundation supporting survivors of labor exploitation.
Arthur still managed the household.
He complained about the new furniture.
Lucy visited often with Maria and Daniel.
Daniel was rebuilding his relationship with his daughter slowly.
Maria remained Lucy’s legal guardian while Daniel worked with attorneys to establish a safe, gradual parenting arrangement.
Nicholas respected their decisions.
One afternoon, Lucy found him in the garden.
“Uncle Nicholas?”
“Yes?”
“Can I have a cookie?”
He smiled.
“Of course.”
She thought for a moment.
“Two?”
He pretended to consider.
“An ambitious negotiation.”
Lucy giggled.
“One for me.”
“And the other?”
“For Mama.”
Nicholas felt the familiar ache in his chest.
May you like
Some things had not changed.
And he was grateful.
