?Chapter 1617:


    No one else was any steadier. Their eyes grew red and glistened with unshed tears, hearts aching for all she had suffered.


    Remorse weighed heavily on them. They had failed to protect her, and that failure tightened like a vise around their hearts.


    “Thank you,” Christina whispered, so overwhelmed her voice nearly broke.


    “Go ahead, open it,” Florrie coaxed, smiling even as her voice wavered. “See if it’s something you like.”


    She lifted a hand to brush away the tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.


    Her granddaughter had been forced to endure far more than any child ever should—and Florrie med herself. She hadn’t kept the child safe.


    Now, all she wanted was to make things right while she still could, to ensure her precious granddaughter would never be wronged again.


    When her thoughts turned to the people responsible, a cold, dangerous glint shed in Florrie’s eyes.


    Once that vicious couple was found, she would make certain they paid—fully and without mercy.


    Christina slowly peeled away the wrapping paper. She tried to keep smiling, but tears escaped anyway, falling onto the lid of the box.


    The sight splintered the Jones family’s hearts.


    “Don’t cry, sweetheart, please don’t cry,” they murmured, flustered and shaken—even as tears streamed freely down their own faces.


    Watching Christina open the gift finally made it all real. This wasn’t an illusion. The daughter they’d lost had trulye back to them. And this time, they would never let her disappear again.


    The first gift Christina revealed was a pure gold pendant ne from her grandmother.


    “Do you like it?” Florrie asked, unable to contain herself, hope shining openly in her eyes.


    “I love it, Grandma. Thank you,” Christina said, sniffing as she managed a trembling smile. “It’s so bright and beautiful—how could anyone not like something like this?”


    The Jones familyughed softly, exchanging quick, knowing nces.


    So Bonnie liked gold—good to know. They were already thinking about what other gold pieces to give her for the next holiday.


    Next, Christina turned to the gift her parents had prepared for her birth.


    Inside rested a delicate gold bracelet and anklet, clearly custom-made for her, her name engraved and surrounded by her family’s blessings.


    “Thank you, Mom and Dad. I really do love them,” Christina said, her words filled with sincere, restrained gratitude.


    Hurley and Beth exchanged a tearful smile, fingersced together as if grounding themselves in the moment.


    Next, Christina opened the gifts from her three older brothers.


    They were gold as well, styled to echo the pendant ne. Each piece carried a distinct wish—peace, health, and happiness.


    “Thank you, Bain, Jordy, Gerry,” she said softly. “I truly love your gifts—they mean so much to me.”


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