But I'm still fuzzy on the rules. How to express it. How to receive it. In many ways, I'm like a toddler, fumbling through this new existence without a guidebook. But I try, and I think that is all I can do.

"I think I can safely say for your sister and myself, we don't ever want you to leave, Eva."

She offers a small smile. "Really?"

"But someday you will."

Her smile falls, and I rush to get the words out.

"Someday, you will probably go to college and then get married," I tell her. "But only to someone I approve of. If he's an asshole, it's not happening."

She giggles at the expression on my face, which I can only imagine is murderous, and then nods with tears in her eyes.

"You'll always have a home with us," I add quietly. "Always."

She leans in and hugs me carefully, and then kisses Elena on the cheek.

"Now you better get to bed," I say. "Or your sister's going to move your bedtime up."

"Alright, I know." She rolls her eyes and then heads for the door, pausing to look over her shoulder. "Good night, Santiago. Love you."

She leaves before I can say anything, but my quiet words follow her down the hall.

"Love you too."

"Is Elena okay?" Ivy murmurs sleepily as I ease myself back into bed.

"Yes, she's asleep now," I assure her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay." She blinks up at me with soft eyes, illuminated by the bedside lamp.

Upon our return, I had Marco assist Antonia in installing lights in most of the rooms again. The lighting is softer, and there are still parts of The Manor kept dark—for the moments I feel I need to escape again—but I think I am learning to live in the light now.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Ivy reaches up to stroke my stubbled jaw as I pull her against me. "I don't mean to sleep through the night, but sometimes, I’m so tired I don’t even hear the monitor.”

"Don't apologize." I kiss her forehead. "Your body is still recovering. You've been through so much with the car accident, the coma, and giving birth to our daughter. I still can't believe it sometimes. You created her inside you."

"I had some help." She laughs. "I think I remember vividly how determined you were."

My face pinches, and I close my eyes, and Ivy's softness does not falter as she brushes her fingers over my scars.

"Hey, don't," she whispers. "Don't go back there."

"I'm trying not to.”

"Our past is what made us strong. With everything we've overcome, we can conquer anything now."

She sounds so certain, and when I open my eyes to meet hers, I can see she means it.

"I hope you'll still feel that way tomorrow."