Brian tried to blame her.
Beatrice responded by producing messages showing that he had approved the spending.
The family that once cared so much about appearing perfect began fighting each other in court.
I stayed out of it.
One evening, I sat beside my father outside the forge.
“Does any of this make you sad?” he asked.
I thought for a moment.
“I regret how long I stayed.”
Then I shook my head.
“But I don’t regret leaving.”
Dad repaired Harrison’s damaged knife.
A faint mark remained near the base.
Harrison refused to have it removed completely.
“I like it,” he said.
“It reminds me that good craftsmanship can survive careless hands.”
Charles kept his promise.
He paid for the damage at the forge from his own retirement savings.
Sometimes he even helped Dad organize shipments.
I did not suddenly consider him a hero.
Ten years of silence did not disappear because he finally spoke.
