Chapter 4 — One Final Surprise
Exactly one year after Mark's death, Rebecca visited the mansion again.
"I found something hidden in Mark's private safe."
She placed a small velvet box on the dining table.
Inside was a simple silver key.
Alongside it rested another handwritten note.
Julia... if you're opening this, then you've already survived the hardest year.
The key belonged to a small lakeside cabin Mark had secretly purchased years earlier.
Rebecca smiled.
"He paid for it in full."
"No mortgage."
"No taxes owed."
"He wanted it to become your family's place to heal."
That weekend, Julia drove Ethan and Emma there.
The cabin overlooked a quiet lake surrounded by pine trees.
Inside they found family photographs, handmade furniture, children's drawings, and a bookshelf filled with Mark's favorite novels.
Emma whispered,
"Daddy built this for us."
Julia smiled through tears.
"Yes."
"He always knew we'd need somewhere peaceful."
May you like
For the first time since the funeral...
They laughed together.
