Chapter 20: A Glimmer of Hope

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As the weeks passed, Ethan focused on rebuilding his life. His relationship with Samantha grew stronger, and she became an integral part of his and Lily's lives. They spent weekends together, taking trips to the coast and exploring the city. Lily had taken a liking to Samantha, and the three of them felt like a family—albeit a different one than before.

One evening, as they sat around the dinner table, Lily brought up Emma again.

"Do you think Emma will ever come around?" she asked, her voice tentative.

Ethan looked at her, his expression sombre. "I don't know, Lily. I hope so."

Samantha reached across the table and placed her hand on Ethan's. "She's angry now, but that won't last forever. She'll see the truth eventually."

Lily nodded, though her face was still etched with worry. "I just miss her."

Ethan's heart ached at his daughter's words. He missed Emma too, more than he could put into words. But he also knew that forcing her to choose between him and Jessica would only push her further away.

Later that night, as Ethan sat on the patio with Samantha, he felt a strange sense of calm wash over him. His life had changed in ways he never could have predicted, but there was still hope. Hope that, in time, Emma would see the truth. Hope that his relationship with Lily would continue to flourish. And hope that, with Samantha by his side, he could finally find the happiness he had been searching for all along.

As the stars twinkled overhead, Ethan realised that, despite the pain of the past, he was ready to move forward. Ready to embrace this new chapter of his life—no matter what challenges lay ahead.

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