In the rearview mirror, I caught Jamie’s reflection, his eyes wide with curiosity but trusting. He was too young to understand the full extent of what was happening, yet I vowed to tell him about his father one day—the real Alex Hanson, who wasn’t just an office worker but a hero.

Back at the cemetery, my in-laws lingered by the grave, still trapped in their bewilderment. Their understanding of Alex had been confined to their narrow judgments, unable to grasp the complexity and bravery of his true existence. But I knew now, and that was enough.

As the SUV carried us into the unknown, I clung to the coin Alex had given me, a tangible symbol of his love and foresight. My heart ached with the loss of him, but it was buoyed by the legacy he’d left behind—a legacy of courage, integrity, and unyielding love.