Page 67 of Silent Past

Sheila looked around the table at these people she loved. At her father, finally free of old guilt. At Star, growing into herself with each passing day. At Sarah, who had become such an integral part of their strange family. At Finn, whose quiet strength had helped her through the darkest days.

"Yes," she said suddenly.

Finn paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. "Yes, what?"

"Yes to adding on to the house. Yes to making this… official." She smiled. "Yes to all of it."

Understanding dawned on his face, joy replacing confusion. Before he could respond, Star spoke up: "Does this mean I get to help plan the wedding?"

Laughter erupted around the table—warm, genuine, healing. Gabriel raised his glass in a toast. "To family," he said. "And to justice finally served."

"To justice," they echoed.

Above them, the mountains stood silent against the spring sky, no longer holding dark secrets in chambers of ice and stone. Wind stirred the fallen leaves, carrying away the last whispers of old grief and corruption. Everything that had been hidden was now in the light.

And in that light, surrounded by love and laughter, Sheila Stone finally felt at peace.

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