A woman stepped out.

She was older now.

Her hair was streaked with silver.

But Julian recognized her immediately.

He froze.

The woman looked at him.

"Hello, little brother."

Julian couldn't breathe.

"Evelyn?"

She smiled through tears.

For twenty years, he had imagined this moment.

Sometimes he imagined anger.

Sometimes forgiveness.

But he never imagined simply hearing her voice.

He walked toward her.

Then stopped.

Evelyn opened her arms.

Julian collapsed into them.

The mansion that had held twenty years of silence finally heard the sound of two siblings crying together.

Clara watched from the doorway.

Mrs. Gable closed her eyes.

For the first time in decades, she looked peaceful.

But Evelyn had not returned merely to reunite.

She had brought proof.