“He Kept Two Promises His Entire Life.”
Michael stepped between me and them like the world was still simple enough to protect me with his body.
“My father never mentioned any of this,” he snapped. “Not once.”
Maggie didn’t flinch.
“Because he promised your mother he wouldn’t,” she replied.
I felt something inside me crack.
Not grief.
Not anger.
Recognition.
Maggie looked at me, then at my son.
“He kept two promises his entire life,” she said quietly. “To never leave those in need… and to never hurt Ellie with memories of this place.”
