Lucas looked up as we entered, a block clutched in his small fist.

“Look, Daddy,” Lucas said, pointing to the tower. “It’s the skyscraper from your office.”

Alexander walked over and sat down on the floor next to them, his dark wool coat forgotten on the armchair.

“It needs a stronger base,” Alexander said, reaching out to adjust one of the foundation blocks. “Otherwise, the top will fall when it gets too high.”

Noah watched him, then handed him a red block.

“Put this one on,” Noah said. “It’s the door.”

I stood in the doorway of the living room, watching the three of them under the soft light of the chandelier.

The empire Victoria had built on lies was gone, but something real was starting here on the rug.

The phone in my pocket buzzed, but I didn’t answer it.

I walked over and sat down on the floor next to them, the cold rain of the morning already forgotten.