Chapter 8 - The Family Returned to the Mansion They Had Fled, and Catherine Finally Understood Why Gideon Had Asked to Leave With HerYears later, the mansion was rebuilt.
No hidden cameras.
No locked doors.
No armed guards inside.
Catherine walked through the halls.
It felt different.
Because she was different.
Gideon was now eighteen.
He had grown tall.
Confident.
Still quiet.
That night he told her:
“Mom, I know why I asked to leave with you.”
She smiled.
“Why?”
“Because when Dad said we had to stay, I thought that meant you'd leave alone.”
Catherine's eyes filled.
“You thought you'd never see me again.”
“Yes.”
She hugged him.
“I would always come back.”
“I know now.”
He looked toward the old staircase.
“This house used to scare me.”
“And now?”
“It's just a house.”
Catherine smiled.
That was the victory.
The mansion no longer controlled them.
They did.
Declan approached.
“Dinner?”
Gideon laughed.
“You still ask like you're negotiating.”
Declan smiled.
“Habit.”
May you like
The family sat down.
For the first time, all five sat together without fear.
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