Chapter 199

Five Years Later

The sound of laughter filled the Mercer estate, loud, unrestrained, echoing through the high ceilings and polished halls that had once been silent, somber things. Now, it was alive, every corner touched by giggles, squeals, and the pitter-patter of small, restless feet.

Five years had passed since that long, aching night in the hospital. Five years since Gideon had named his son