Grandparents Forced His Kids to Serve Guests Then Their Father Revealed Who Paid for the Entire Party / Chapter 14 / 20

Chapter 14 - The New NormalThe transition to life at the new estate was remarkably smooth for the children. Free from the constant, crushing judgment of their grandparents and the bullying of their cousins, Samuel, Rebecca, and Jacob began to flourish.

Thomas found them in the sunroom later that afternoon. The massive glass walls overlooked the valley, letting in brilliant streams of sunlight. Jacob was sprawled on a fluffy rug, snapping together the final pieces of a massive Lego fortress. Samuel was sitting at the dining table with a tutor, animatedly discussing astrophysics, a newfound passion since discovering his telescope.

Rebecca was sitting on a plush sofa, sketching in a leather-bound notebook.

Thomas walked over and sat beside her. She quickly closed the notebook, a habit she had developed whenever the Vance family was around—they used to call her drawings "frivolous."

"You don't have to hide that, Becca," Thomas said gently, tapping the cover of the notebook. "I'd love to see what you're working on."

She hesitated, then slowly opened the book. It was a beautiful, incredibly detailed pencil sketch of her mother, Sarah.

Thomas felt a lump form in his throat. He traced his finger over the edge of the paper. "It’s beautiful, sweetie. You captured her smile perfectly."

"I miss her," Rebecca whispered. "Do you think she's mad at us? For leaving Grandma and Grandpa behind? She always wanted everyone to be together."

Thomas put his arm around his daughter, pulling her close. "No, Becca. Your mom wanted you guys to be safe, and happy, and loved. Your grandparents... they forgot how to love a long time ago. They got sick with greed. I promised your mom I would protect you. And part of protecting you meant cutting out the people who wanted to hurt you."

Samuel, who had overheard the conversation, walked over and sat on his dad's other side. "Are they ever coming back?" he asked quietly, the ghost of fear still in his eyes.

"Never," Thomas said firmly, looking at both of them. "They are going away for a very long time. They broke the law, and now they have to face the consequences. But we don't have to think about them anymore. From now on, it's just us. And whatever you want to be, whatever you want to do, I've got you."

Jacob abandoned his Lego castle and ran over, launching himself into his father's lap. "Can we get a dog?" he asked brightly.

The heavy emotional atmosphere instantly broke. Thomas burst out laughing, hugging his youngest son tightly. "Yes, buddy. We can absolutely get a dog."

As he held his three children in the sunlit room, Thomas felt a profound sense of peace. The war was over. He had won.