“We’ve set up a scholarship fund in your name. It’ll be there when you’re ready. Any college you choose.”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

“What?” I whispered.

Leo just stared.

“You don’t have to decide anything now,” Reynolds added. “But we want you to know—it’s there because of your bravery.”

Dunn stood there, stunned.

Leo looked at me, completely overwhelmed.

“Mom…?”

I shook my head, equally overwhelmed. “I… I don’t even know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Reynolds said. “Just understand this—what your son did wasn’t small.”

Then he took something from his pocket—a military patch—and gently placed it on Leo’s shoulder.

“You earned this,” he said. “And I can tell you—Sam’s father would’ve been proud of you.”

That was it.

My eyes filled instantly.

I pulled Leo close, my voice breaking.

“Your dad would’ve been proud too,” I whispered.

Leo’s face tightened, and he nodded once.

The tension in the room faded, replaced by something warmer.

Sally stepped closer to us.

“Thank you for giving my son something I couldn’t.”

I reached out and hugged her.