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Chapter 46

Author: ONYINYE
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

** A Cost Too High**

The storm outside showed no signs of letting up, mirroring the turmoil inside the Hayes household. Claire, Samuel, and Lillian spent the night in a tense silence, each grappling with Ethan’s decision to sign the developers’ contract. For Claire, it felt like a betrayal not just of their shared dreams, but of the very principles they had built their lives around. Ethan’s choice had driven a wedge through their family, and she wasn’t sure how—or if—they could recover from it.

Ethan spent the night in the office, replaying the confrontation with Samuel over and over in his mind. He had never seen his son so disappointed, so hurt, and it tore at him. He had always prided himself on being a strong, guiding presence for his family, but now, he felt like a man who had lost his way.

The next morning, Claire found herself at the shop, staring at the shelves that held so many memories. She ran her fingers over the handcrafted items, the unique pieces that told the story of
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