Chapter 66 - THE FAMILY REUNION
Matteo came to Chicago six months later.
The first place Lorenzo took him was Elena's garden.
He stood beneath the maple tree.
“She would have liked this.”
Lorenzo smiled.
“She would have complained about the flowers.”
Matteo laughed.
“She sounds familiar.”
Emma approached slowly.
“I'm Emma.”
Matteo smiled.
“I know.”
They hugged.
Then Matteo met Noah.
The two brothers stared at each other.
“You're the doctor.”
“Apparently.”
Matteo laughed.
“I've heard a lot about you.”
Noah smiled.
“And I've heard a lot about you.”
For a moment, everyone stood awkwardly.
Then Noah opened his arms.
Matteo stepped forward.
The embrace lasted several seconds.
Lorenzo watched.
His family, once fractured by secrets, was finally standing in the same garden.
Under the tree planted for Elena.
He whispered quietly,
“Mom, he's home.”
The wind moved through the branches.
Nobody answered.
May you like
But somehow, it felt like she had.
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