Emma's new house was beautiful.
Brandon had surprised her with it nearly five winters ago. It sat on a quiet hill overlooking a small lake, surrounded by tall pine trees that swayed whenever the wind moved through their branches.
Back then, Emma and Brandon had walked through every chamber together. He had carried Bryan on his shoulders while their pup pointed excitedly at everything they passed.
When Brandon opened the nursery door, he had smiled at Bryan.
"This chamber is yours."
Bryan had run inside, his little footsteps echoing across the floor.
"It's the biggest chamber in the world!"
Emma laughed so hard that Brandon couldn't help but laugh along with her.
Now the house was quiet.
The walls hadn't changed. The furniture was still in the same places, and the view from the windows was exactly as beautiful as she remembered.
But without Brandon, she barely recognized the place.
