Chapter 18 - The Test of Time
Six months later, the sterile smell of the hospital was nothing more than a fading nightmare.
Maya had made a full, miraculous recovery, her heart pumping strong and steady.
Vance had purchased a massive, highly secure estate in the quiet countryside of the Hudson Valley.
He wanted the children to grow up surrounded by trees and fresh air, far away from the toxic glare of the city.
Vance had stepped down as the CEO of Callahan Biotech, shocking the global financial world.
He retained his position as Chairman of the Board, but he refused to let corporate ambition rob him of another second with his family.
However, the transition into domestic life was not a perfect fairytale.
Leo was a hyperactive, stubborn toddler who frequently tested Vance’s patience.
One afternoon, Leo threw a massive tantrum in the garden, aggressively throwing his toy truck directly into Vance’s shin.
For a split second, Vance saw Grant Ellison’s arrogant, defiant glare in the little boy’s eyes.
Vance’s jaw clenched, a surge of complicated anger and resentment rising in his chest.
Maddie watched from the porch, her breath catching as she waited to see how Vance would react.
Vance closed his eyes, taking a deep, grounding breath.
He crouched down to eye level with the angry toddler, picking up the discarded toy truck.
Instead of yelling, Vance gently tapped Leo’s nose, producing a goofy, exaggerated sound effect.
Leo blinked in surprise, his anger melting into a sudden, bright fit of giggles.
As the boy smiled, the deep dimple on his left cheek appeared, perfectly mirroring the one on Vance’s face.
May you like
Vance pulled the boy into a tight hug, realizing that love was a conscious, daily choice.
He looked up at Maddie on the porch, a silent promise passing between them.
