Chapter 9 - She Was Never The Debt
The Ashcrofts lost everything.
But Mave refused to let Dominic erase them from existence.
Gerald pleaded guilty.
Karen testified.
Anthony recovered.
Eleanor returned to Chicago.
For the first time, Mave had a family.
Not a perfect one.
But a real one.
Still, there was one thing unfinished.
Her marriage.
The original contract was still valid.
Dominic had promised the Ashcrofts he would clear their debt in exchange for Mave.
Mave asked him one evening.
"Why haven't you canceled it?"
He looked at her.
"Because I was waiting for you."
"For what?"
"To decide."
She sat across from him.
"I don't want to be someone's debt."
"You never were."
"Then what am I?"
Dominic came closer.
"You are the woman I would choose if there had never been a debt."
Her heart tightened.
"That's not fair."
"What isn't?"
"Making me believe you."
"I've never asked you to believe anything."
He reached into his pocket.
There was a ring.
Not the diamond from the Ashcrofts.
A simple silver band.
"I had this made for your mother twenty-two years ago."
Mave stared.
"I never gave it to her."
"Why?"
"Because I thought I'd have another chance."
He placed it on the table.
"I don't want to make that mistake again."
Mave looked at him.
"What are you asking?"
"Nothing."
That surprised her.
"I want you to walk away if you want."
"And if I stay?"
"Then stay because you want me."
Mave smiled through tears.
"You make everything sound simple."
"It isn't."
"No."
She picked up the ring.
"But maybe we can try."
Dominic breathed out slowly.
"Try what?"
"Us."
He looked stunned.
Mave laughed.
"You look surprised."
"I am."
"You're Dominic Vale."
"That means nothing right now."
She stood.
"Good."
She placed the ring on her finger.
Then she kissed him.
It was gentle.
Careful.
Nothing like the violent world around them.
For the first time in decades, Dominic Vale allowed himself to hope.
Outside, Chicago was changing.
Inside, two people who had spent their lives surviving finally began living.
Months later, Mave returned to the restaurant where everything had started.
She wore a simple black dress.
No bodyguards in sight.
Dominic waited outside.
She walked to the head table.
The silver-haired woman in the corner was gone.
Her place was empty.
Mave smiled.
For the first time, she understood.
That woman had not recognized her because of a dessert.
She had recognized her because she was looking at a child she had believed was gone forever.
The pear tart arrived.
Mave tasted it.
Too sweet.
She smiled.
"Mom?"
Eleanor laughed.
"Still needs more cinnamon."
Bridget would have said that too.
For a moment, Mave closed her eyes.
The past was still there.
May you like
It always would be.
But it no longer owned her.
