CHAPTER 58 : Torn Between Gratitude and Guilt

MELISSA’S POV

The cleanup began with Knox and the boys energetically pulling chairs away from the kitchen table and wiping down counters, while I hesitated near the entrance, unsure of how to express my gratitude without sounding like a broken record. The smell of smoke still lingered in the air, clinging to the walls and furniture, making the whole place feel heavy.

“You sure you want to do this?” I asked Knox as he leaned down to scrub the floor, his broad shoulders straining against his shirt. “You really don’t have to. I can handle it from here.”

He glanced up, giving me a quick, reassuring smile. “I’m not going anywhere until this place is back in order,” he said simply. “Besides, it’s kind of fun watching the boys act like they know what they’re doing.”

I looked over to see Dylan and Tyler, armed with sponges and small towels, scrubbing at the chairs with all the seriousness they could muster. It was a sight that made me smile despite everything. They were trying to make up for