Claire's breath caught in her throat. It was what she had wanted for so long—for them to have a chance at a real life, free from fear and danger. And now, for the first time, it felt like that dream was within reach.
"I want that too," Claire said, her voice thick with emotion.
Jake smiled, and for the first time in a long while, it reached his eyes. "Then let's do it. Let's make this our home."
Claire nodded, tears welling up in her eyes. "Yes," she whispered. "Let's make it our home."
They continued walking in silence, hand in hand, the weight of their past still lingering but not as heavy as before. They had been through hell together, but they had survived. And now, they had a chance to build something new—something beautiful.
As they walked back to the house, the stars began to appear in the sky, twinkling like tiny beacons of hope. Claire glanced up at them, her heart swelling with gratitude.
