Elias decided not to sell the house immediately. He kept the leather journal on his nightstand, reading a few pages every night. He discovered sketches his father had drawn of buildings Elias had designed—Arthur had been following his son's career through newspaper clippings and architectural journals all along. He had been proud in secret, a silent spectator of his son's success.
Elias eventually returned to his life in the city, but he was a changed man. He became quicker to forgive, slower to judge, and most importantly, he stopped letting pride dictate his silence. He called old friends he hadn't spoken to in years. He told the people he cared about that he loved them, even when it felt awkward.