Chapter 21 - Ryan sees the mansion again
Two months later, Lily agreed to a daytime visit at the mansion.
Claire came too.
This was not Ryan moving in.
He knew.
Before entering, he asked:
“Is my room upstairs?”
“No.”
His face tightened.
Then he nodded.
Inside, the reclaimed fireplace bricks were gone.
Contractor finished repairs.
The brick used in the assault remained in evidence until juvenile case retention allowed release. I asked authorities to dispose of it.
No trophy.
No object hidden in drawer.
Ryan stood near the stairs.
Lily said:
“That playroom is still mine.”
Ryan answered:
“I know.”
Then she added:
“You can play there if I say yes.”
“Okay.”
That was a five-year-old boundary.
He respected it.
They played for twenty-three minutes.
Then argued over a toy car.
Both voices rose.
Claire moved instinctively.
So did I.
Ryan released the car.
“Fine.”
Walked away.
May you like
No explosion.
That mattered more than apologies.
