For the first time, they all sat together.
The atmosphere at the table felt warm, natural, and deeply familial.
There was no awkwardness, no forced politeness, only a quiet sense of comfort that slowly wrapped around the room.
Evelyn's presence brought gentle brightness to the space, while Oliver's cheerful energy filled the air.
Martha's happiness was impossible to miss, her eyes constantly drifting toward Ethan with a mixture of affection and quiet disbelief.
And Ethan—
Though he still had no memory of his mother, though the past remained painfully blank, something inside him felt unexpectedly at peace.
It was a strange feeling.
But not unpleasant.
In fact, it felt… good.
The warmth of the room, the soft laughter, the simple domestic conversation—everything created a sense of belonging he could not quite explain.
He did not remember her.
But sitting there beside her felt right.
As if his heart recognized something his mind could not.
