“The rest has to be earned.”
They were the same words Elena had once given him.
It took Beatrice months to accept them.
Eventually, Elena allowed a meeting at a neutral community center.
There were no emotional embraces.
No instant forgiveness.
Leo asked why Beatrice had waited so long to meet them.
Lucas asked whether she knew how to play chess.
Maya wanted to know whether she could bake cookies without nuts.
Clara noticed an old photograph of Alex as a child tucked inside Beatrice’s wallet.
“Why does he look
