The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 301

Yet the strong line of his brow and the sharp angle of his jaw mirrored Garrison, hinting at the handsome, chiseled man he would become.

He stopped in front of Garrison, hands stuffed into his hoodie pockets. Tilting his head up, he offered his father a shy, boyish smile—a smile layered with longing, restraint, and the subtle awkwardness that came from being apart for too long.

"You've grown again." Garrison raised a hand, measuring the boy's height before letting his palm rest on Archie's head, affectionately ruffling his hair. Archie didn't pull away; he merely ducked his chin, the tips of his ears flushing a faint pink.

"You're finally back. I missed you."

"Yeah. Once I wrap up this project at work, I'll spend some proper time with you, alright?"

Archie nodded obediently. He knew his father carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Okay."

"Alright, enough standing around! Come sit down and eat!"

Rosemary called out from the dining room, her voice brimming with festive holiday cheer. The table was practically groaning under a feast of a massive roast, honey-glazed ham, savory meatballs, and fresh dumplings. In the center sat a steaming copper tureen, its rich broth bubbling away, sending up clouds of fragrant vapor that blanketed the silverware in a fine mist.

The family gathered around the table.

His father took the head of the table, with Rosemary beside him. Garrison and Archie sat together, while Quinn claimed the seat diagonally across from Garrison.

Outside, the sporadic crackle of fireworks echoed through the night. Distant bursts of color bloomed in the sky, flashing through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting brief, kaleidoscopic shadows across the dining room.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify