As time progressed, their new life began to feel less like a fleeting escape from reality and more like a solid foundation they could build upon. The house by the gently flowing creek transformed from merely a sanctuary into a true home steeped in warmth and comfort. Gorgeous canvases painted by Mara now adorned the walls, infusing the space with vibrant hues of crimson, sapphire, and gold, replacing the once sparse and sterile shades of white and gray that dominated the interior.

Elias found ...