Chapter 8 - The Man Behind the Monster
Months passed.
Nadia's foundation grew.
She helped open safe apartments and legal support centers.
Mila completed her training as a baker.
Anton began recovering.
Theodore cooperated fully with investigators.
Nadia visited him once.
He looked older.
Tired.
But honest.
“I should have told you everything,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“Yes.”
“Do you hate me?”
Nadia thought carefully.
“No.”
His eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
“I said I don't hate you.”
She stood.
“That doesn't mean I forgive everything.”
“I understand.”
It was enough.
Outside the courthouse, Nadia found Dragan waiting.
“You stayed.”
“I said I would.”
“You don't have to wait for me every time.”
“I know.”
“Then why do you?”
He looked at her.
“Because I like watching you walk out.”
She smiled.
“You're strange.”
“I've been told.”
They drove to the coast.
The ocean was calm.
Nadia leaned against the window.
“Why do you still have the house?”
“Which one?”
“The estate.”
Dragan was quiet.
“I was going to sell it.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because Theodore asked me not to.”
Nadia looked at him.
“He wants you to keep it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He thinks the house should belong to someone who knows what it costs.”
Nadia smiled faintly.
That evening, they entered the greenhouse.
The orchids were blooming again.
Nadia stood where Clarissa had cut her hair.
She touched the tile.
“I'm not afraid anymore.”
Dragan stood beside her.
“I know.”
“How?”
“You stopped looking at the scissors.”
She laughed.
He reached into his pocket.
Nadia stared.
A tiny box.
“Dragan.”
He opened it.
Inside was not a diamond.
It was a simple gold ring.
“I don't want to marry you because you're vulnerable.”
Nadia's eyes filled.
“I don't want to marry you because I saved you.”
He took the ring.
“I want you to marry me because you are the woman who walked through every terrible thing that happened to her and still chose kindness.”
Nadia couldn't speak.
He continued.
“You don't owe me an answer tonight.”
She smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“Yes.”
“You're sure?”
“I've been sure for months.”
He laughed softly.
“That was faster than expected.”
“I have suffered enough waiting.”
He put the ring on her finger.
Nadia looked at it.
“I never thought I'd have this.”
“Neither did I.”
She looked up.
“Were you really a mafia boss?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Really?”
She laughed.
“Sometimes I still can't believe it.”
He shrugged.
“I prefer businessman.”
“You scare businessmen.”
“That helps.”
She leaned against him.
“Do you regret it?”
“Which part?”
“Everything.”
He looked at the orchids.
“Yes.”
Then at her.
“But I don't regret meeting you.”
She kissed him.
Outside, Dario and Mila secretly watched through the glass.
Mila signed:
Finally.
Dario nodded.
“Finally.”
They both laughed.
But Nadia did not hear them.
She only heard Dragan whisper something against her hair.
“What?”
“I said you're home.”
She closed her eyes.
Home.
The word had once meant a tiny apartment.
Then it had meant the Hawthorne estate.
May you like
Now it meant something different.
A person.
