Chapter 6 - Derek Returned One Last Time, and Nora Refused to Be the Frightened Woman He Remembered
Derek escaped during a prison transfer.
Vincent learned about it before Nora did.
This time, however, Derek wasn't backed by the Black Rose.
He was alone.
Desperate.
He wanted revenge.
He found Nora at the foundation office.
She was signing documents for a women's shelter.
Derek entered.
She froze.
For a moment, she was twenty-three again.
Afraid.
Then she looked down at her daughter sleeping in a stroller.
Something changed.
She stood.
“Leave.”
Derek laughed.
“You think your husband can save you forever?”
“No.”
She surprised herself with the answer.
“I can save myself.”
He moved closer.
Security appeared immediately.
Derek pulled a weapon.
Vincent entered behind him.
“Put it down.”
Derek laughed.
“You.”
Vincent stared.
“You've already lost.”
Derek looked at Nora.
“She doesn't love you.”
Vincent didn't move.
Derek continued.
“She married you for money.”
Nora answered.
“No.”
She looked at Vincent.
“I married him because he respected my choice.”
Derek's face twisted.
“You belong to me.”
Nora shook her head.
“I never did.”
Derek was arrested.
This time, there was no fear.
Only closure.
That evening, Vincent found Nora on the balcony.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
She nodded.
“I finally realized something.”
“What?”
“I spent years thinking surviving you meant becoming someone who wasn't afraid.”
Vincent listened.
“But today I learned something else.”
“What?”
“I can be afraid and still say no.”
He kissed her forehead.
“You never needed permission.”
“I know.”
She looked at the city.
“I just needed to believe myself.”
Vincent smiled.
The empire was gone.
The mansion had been sold.
The foundation was growing.
Their daughter was healthy.
Their life was ordinary in the best possible way.
Then Nora's phone rang.
Her father.
Alive.
May you like
He wanted to meet.
---
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