The next morning, Paul guided her through the forest, moving slowly to match her pace. When they reached the clearing, the cottage gleamed in the sunlight, fully restored. Ivy climbed its stone walls, frogs leapt in the nearby pond, and the garden brimmed with color.
Inside, soft furnishings and warm touches transformed the space into a haven. Melissa’s heart swelled as she looked around.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered, tears of joy spilling freely. “Everything I ever dreamed of.”
Paul wrapped her gently in his arms. “This is our home now—where we’ll raise our child, where we’ll start again.”
As sunlight poured through the trees, Melissa felt peace settle over her heart. What once had been shadowed by fear and doubt now glowed with promise.
The cottage was more than walls and stone. It was a symbol of their love, their second chance, and the future waiting for them as a family.