I smile faintly at the memory of Nora as a kid—her wild hair always tangled from adventure, knees perpetually scraped from climbing too high and riding too fast.

"Yeah. Leni was always brave."

David's knowing smile makes something in my chest flutter.

"You always brought that out in her, you know. She always tried to impress you boys, to prove she was capable of keeping up with you lot.” I go quiet, unsure where he's going with this, afraid to hope. “You looked out for her whenever she wanted to do something terrifying. It brought out the best in her growing up."

I stay quiet, while watching the little girl on the playground make a second attempt at climbing.

"You ever thought about having a family of your own one day?" he asks suddenly, his voice gentle but intent.

I nearly laugh, pushing a fry around in circles. "Haven't really thought about it."

That's a lie.

I have.

More than I'd ever admit.

And every time, the same image comes to mind—a home filled with love instead of fear, a family built on trust instead of terror, and her standing beside me, hand in mine. But it feels too far out of reach, too much of a fantasy for someone like me, someone as broken as I am.

David studies me for a moment, then leans forward slightly.

"You're a good man, Nate. You've been through hell, but it hasn't hardened your heart. One day, you're going to make an incredible husband and father because of it."

I can't respond because I don't know how. I don't know why he believes in me so much when most people don't even bother to look past the surface.

Then he says it, casual as breathing, like he's commenting on the weather: "You have my blessing, by the way."

I blink, caught completely off guard. "Your blessing?"

"With Leni," he clarifies, his smirk sharp but somehow kind. "If that's something you want one day with my daughter."

My throat tightens as I stare at him, searching for any hint of insincerity, any trace of the conditions and catches I'm so used to. But all I find is calm certainty, an offer of belonging that feels too good to be true.

David takes another fry, biting into it as if he didn't just drop the microphone and walked off stage. As if he didn't just offer me a future I've only dared to dream about in my weakest moments.

And for the first time since I can remember, possibility exists.

53. A Very Unhappy Fourth Of July

CHAPTER 53

A VERY UNHAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

NATE

PRESENT DAY