CHAPTER 23

FINDING GRACE IN LILLIAN

As weeks turned into months, Ethan began to find small joys in the moments he shared with Lillian. Her first smile felt like a ray of light piercing through the darkness, and the way she giggled when he made silly faces reminded him of Grace's laugh.

He often spoke to Lillian as if Grace could hear him. "Your mom would've loved that smile," he would say, brushing her tiny curls. "She'd be so proud of you, Lil."

On Grace's birthday, Ethan took Lillian to the park where he had proposed. He sat on the bench, holding her close as he spoke aloud.

"Grace, I miss you every day. But she's amazing, just like you said she'd be. She's strong, beautiful, and full of life—just like her mom."

A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and for a moment, Ethan swore he felt Grace's presence, a soft whisper of reassurance.

Though the pain of losing Grace never truly faded, Ethan learned to carry it alongside the love she had left behind. He poured his heart into raising Lillian, determined to honor Grace's memory in every way.

He told her stories about her mother—how they met, how much Grace had loved her, and how she had fought to bring her into the world. As Lillian grew, she carried pieces of Grace with her—her smile, her kindness, her strength.

Ethan found himself smiling more often, too, as he watched Lillian take her first steps, speak her first words, and grow into a reflection of the love he and Grace had shared.

Every milestone was bittersweet, a reminder of what Grace had sacrificed and the legacy she had left behind. But through it all, Ethan knew that Grace's love would always be with them, guiding them forward.

THE END