Ray blinked, stunned. Was it true? He hadn't realized, hadn't even thought that Esme's presence could have done this. She'd quietly woven herself into their lives, stitching together the broken pieces without ever calling attention to it. He felt the weight lift slightly, an unfamiliar sense of warmth spreading through him.
Ryan's voice softened as he continued, his words almost reverent. "It's like we're back in those days when Mother and Father were still alive. When we'd all gather for meals, telling stories, laughing… this place actually feels like a home again. Not just a roof we hide under."
Ray's heart stirred, the memories flickering through his mind like a long-lost melody. Esme had brought life back to this old house, reviving something precious he'd forgotten they even had. The silence, the distance—it was all fading, replaced by warmth, laughter, a sense of belonging.
