Chapter 5.5: A Debt Repaid

Jonah Neal had never returned to Kensington.

Not since the lawsuit threats. Not since the betrayal. Not since the firestorm of silence that followed.

But one evening, he pulled into the gravel drive, walked up to the estate's heavy front door, and knocked.

Russell answered, no drink in hand for once. He stared.

Jonah removed his sunglasses, a rare humility in his eyes.

"I'm not here for Ethan," Jonah said. "I'm here for you."

Russell crossed his arms. "Took you twenty years."

Jonah nodded. "And it might take twenty more to make it right. But I want to try."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a sealed folder.

"Fifty-one percent of the original SeedSpark IP—restored in your name. And ten percent equity in NealTech. Retroactively."

Russell didn't speak. His jaw twitched.

Jonah swallowed hard. "You built the core. I just… branded it. But without you, none of this exists."

"And without you," Russell said coldly, "I might've kept my soul."

Jonah nodded. "I'm sorry."

They stood in silence. Then Russell took the folder.

He didn't say "thank you." He didn't need to.

But as Jonah turned to leave, Russell spoke.

"Make sure Ethan never has to choose between us. He deserves better than we were."

Jonah paused. "I will."

And for the first time in two decades, the door closed behind him without the sound of blame—only quiet, unfinished peace.

End of chapter 5.5