Chapter 7 - The Woman Who Refused to Run Again
For the first time in my life, I understood that staying could be as brave as leaving.
But I had to be certain.
Nico had changed.
Not because he wanted me back.
Because he had finally realized he needed to become someone worthy of being chosen.
He went to therapy.
He hated it.
He admitted that to me.
“I don't like talking about feelings.”
“I noticed.”
“But I'm learning.”
He also stopped carrying a weapon inside the house.
That seemed small to everyone else.
To me, it meant everything.
The house became quieter.
Safer.
Our daughter became the center of our world before she was even born.
But then Arthur arrived with news.
Someone connected to Matteo had escaped custody.
His name was Carlo Vieri.
And he wanted revenge.
Carlo knew where we lived.
Nico moved us to a secure country property.
I hated leaving the city.
But I understood.
Then one night, the power went out.
The entire house fell dark.
I heard a noise downstairs.
Nico immediately woke.
He motioned for me to stay behind him.
But I wasn't the same woman who had once quietly carried a tray outside his study.
I refused to be helpless.
We moved together.
The intruder came through the kitchen.
Nico disarmed him.
Security arrived seconds later.
The man was captured.
Before he was taken away, he looked at me.
“You should've stayed gone.”
I froze.
Nico stepped between us.
“Don't talk to her.”
The man smiled.
“Carlo knows where the baby will be born.”
The threat stayed with me.
The next morning, I made a decision.
“We're not hiding forever.”
Nico looked at me.
“What do you want to do?”
“End this.”
He understood.
We contacted federal investigators.
We gave them everything.
Carlo's network.
Matteo's remaining accounts.
Every criminal connection.
In exchange, several people offered information.
Carlo was arrested three weeks later.
The threat finally ended.
On the day he was arrested, Nico came home and found me standing in the nursery.
The room was painted soft cream.
A white crib stood near the window.
Tiny clothes filled the dresser.
He stood behind me.
“You did all this?”
“Most of it.”
He smiled.
“You didn't need me.”
“I wanted you.”
He wrapped his arms around me.
Our daughter kicked.
He laughed.
“She's got perfect timing.”
I turned around.
“Nico.”
“Yes?”
“I've decided something.”
He looked nervous.
“What?”
“I don't want the divorce.”
He froze.
“What?”
“I don't want it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He stared at me.
“I don't want you because you're afraid of losing me.”
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“I don't want you because you're the father of my child.”
“I know.”
“I want you because when everything fell apart, you finally chose the right thing.”
His eyes filled with tears.
He kissed my forehead.
“Thank you.”
I smiled.
“Don't make me regret it.”
“I won't.”
That evening, he took off his wedding ring.
I looked at him.
“What are you doing?”
“Something I've wanted to do for years.”
He went down on one knee.
I laughed.
“We're already married.”
“I know.”
He pulled out a simple ring.
“Then let me ask anyway.”
He looked up.
“Norah, will you choose me again?”
I cried.
“Yes.”
He stood.
May you like
And kissed me.
This time, no secrets were needed.
