Chapter 9 - Leo Mercer Asked Me to Stop Running From a Family I Never Thought I Could HaveThe trial lasted months.
Evelyn was convicted.
Michael cooperated.
The remaining researchers were prosecuted.
The medical program was dismantled.
My father's role was finally understood.
He had made terrible choices.
But he had eventually tried to stop them.
The courts cleared my name.
My children were returned permanently.
My husband lost custody.
For the first time in months, I slept without fear.
Leo stayed close.
Not as my protector.
As my partner.
One night, we sat on his balcony.
“I keep waiting for something terrible.”
He looked at me.
“It may happen.”
I frowned.
“That's comforting.”
He smiled.
“I can't promise danger disappears.”
“What can you promise?”
“I won't disappear.”
I looked at him.
He took my hand.
“I don't need you to love me today.”
“You don't?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you've lost enough.”
My eyes filled.
“I don't know how to start over.”
“Then don't.”
“What?”
“Start from where you are.”
He smiled.
“Tomorrow can be better without pretending today never happened.”
I leaned against him.
For the first time, I felt safe.
Not because he was powerful.
Because he didn't require anything from me.
That was when I knew.
I was falling in love with him.
And that terrified me more than any enemy.
Then Daniel, Leo's son, called from inside.
“Dad!”
Leo laughed.
“What?”
“Lily woke up!”
We hurried inside.
The baby was smiling.
I picked her up.
She wrapped her fingers around mine.
Leo stood beside us.
Our eyes met.
He whispered:
“Family.”
May you like
I smiled.
“Yes.”
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