Chapter 7 - The Mafia Boss Who Learned What Love Really Was
Life after the trial felt strange.
There were reporters outside.
People recognized us.
People wanted interviews.
I refused most of them.
I wanted Amelia to have a normal life.
Adrian understood.
He sold several of his businesses.
He shut down the criminal operations.
He kept only legitimate companies.
People asked why.
He answered simply.
“I've had enough of fear.”
We built a life in the Lake Geneva house.
Amelia called it the castle.
My mother called it peaceful.
I called it home.
Months passed.
Adrian and I slowly became closer.
It wasn't dramatic.
It was small things.
Coffee.
Walks.
Arguments over books.
Cooking.
He hated mushrooms.
I loved them.
He learned to cook anyway.
One evening, I asked,
“Do you ever regret sitting beside me on that plane?”
He looked at me.
“No.”
“Even knowing what followed?”
“Especially knowing.”
I smiled.
“What did you think of me?”
“That you looked terrified.”
“And now?”
“That you are the strongest person I've ever met.”
I looked away.
“I don't feel strong.”
“You left.”
“That was fear.”
“Courage often is.”
He reached for my hand.
I let him.
Amelia entered.
She climbed into my lap.
Then looked at Adrian.
“Are you going to stay?”
He smiled.
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
I held my breath.
Adrian looked at me.
“If your mother lets me.”
Amelia frowned.
“That's not fair.”
I laughed.
She looked at me.
“Let him.”
I laughed harder.
Adrian joined us.
The house filled with warmth.
But one evening, a letter arrived.
The sender was Damian.
He was in prison.
I almost threw it away.
Instead, I opened it.
He apologized.
Not for everything.
But for enough.
He admitted that he had spent years believing control was love because Jonathan had taught him that lesson.
He asked me to forgive him.
I couldn't.
Not yet.
Maybe not ever.
But I could stop carrying him.
I burned the letter.
Adrian watched.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
“Feel lighter?”
I thought.
“Yes.”
He kissed my forehead.
No demand.
No pressure.
Just affection.
That night, I realized something.
I hadn't escaped Damian to belong to Adrian.
May you like
I had escaped Damian to belong to myself.
And because Adrian understood that, I could choose him freely.
