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I gently touched my stomach. Love had a way of living on, of creating life so it didn't die in darkness, of giving even when it had to take. Vega was going to live on. I drew slow circles over my belly where our child was growing.

“I'm going to make it count,” I said out loud. “I'm going to make every moment count.”

* * * *

I dropped the keys into the palm of Tony Daniels, the top real estate agent in the county. “Here you go,” I said. “Time to move on.”

“That's not always a bad thing,” Tony said with a smile. “Between the facility and the house, you can finally build your dream home.”

“Build? No. I'm going to go find a little place off the grid. I've had enough of being in the spotlight.” I shook his hand. “Thanks for all your help.”

“If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call.”

“I appreciate that. Thanks again.” I smiled and climbed into my car. I looked up at my childhood home one last time and then drove away.

I sold everything: the facility my father owned, the house, the condo in Bali, the beach house in Hawaii. I didn't need any of that. And I didn't want it. It took me about a year to liquidate all of it. It was a weight off my shoulders. I was officially free. Free from the burden of being an Aneska. Free from having my father's crimes quietly follow me for the rest of my life. Free from my child having a dark shadow looming at every corner.

I was going to carry on Vega's name. The love of my life will never be forgotten. I legally changed my name to Poppy Lobos.

I glanced in the back seat to see our son sleeping soundly. He was three months old now, and all I could see was Vega. His eyes were the same shade of hazel. His hair was jet black and thick as moss on the trunk of a tree. He had the same little dimple when he smiled and the same serious face when sleeping.

I drove for hours until we finally reached the long, desolate road I remembered. Vega's cabin was tucked out of sight. The windows were dark, and it looked much less welcoming than the first time I was there.

I opened all the doors and windows before I brought our son in. I thought it would smell musty because no one had been there, but to my surprise, there was a letter on the table.

Poppy,

The pass code for the alarm is seven-one-four. I stocked the fridge and had James cut enough firewood for you and the little one to last the winter. If you need anything, I'm just a text away. Vega would be so proud of you—actually, I know he is. And I'm proud of you, too. I would love to get to know my grandson when you're ready. I want to do right by my son. I hope you give me the chance.

—Marcella

Her number was written at the bottom of the page. Marcella hadn't just stocked the fridge. The woman had the entire place cleaned from top to bottom. I picked up the baby's car seat and carried him inside. I was blown away by what his mother had done for us. The fridge was full of fruits and vegetables. There was meat in the freezer and boxed and canned goods in the pantry. She had even stocked baby formula, diapers, wipes, and clothes for the first two years of his life.

I took out my phone and sent her a thank-you text. It was more than I could ask for. She quickly wrote back that it was her pleasure. I was desperately trying to think about what Vega would want. They didn't have a good relationship. But this woman had lost her husband and her son. Did I really want to take her grandson from her, too?

People can change. Vega's mother was the only family my son had besides me. I didn't want to give up that connection. She could tell my son stories about his father as a child. She could fill his little mind with memories and a version of his father I never knew.

And that's what I wanted. I wanted our son to have an image of his father in his mind. Because Vega was right, he would always be with me. His life would live on in our son.

Vega wasn't really gone at all. I saw him looking back at me through our son's eyes.

And that was more than enough to make my heart full.

Life isn't meant to be perfect. It's our scars that make us who we are.

Wear them proudly.

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