“Maybe she believed in the man you could become.”

Chapter 10 — Brooks and Grace

By spring, the Vale mansion no longer felt haunted. Lucas learned to sit, then crawl, then pull himself upright using anything within reach. He adored Emilio’s wooden spoons, Theresa’s keys, and Rourke’s watch.

His first clear word was not “Dad.” It was “bread.” Emilio celebrated as if the child had delivered a presidential speech. Adrian accused Hannah of influencing him.

“I’ve never told Lucas to say anything,” she replied.

“You carry him through the kitchen every morning.”

“He has excellent instincts.”