Chapter 6 - The Marriage I Chose
Vincent woke the next morning.
I was beside him.
He stared.
“You didn't leave.”
“No.”
“You should.”
“I tore up the papers.”
His expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
He looked away.
“You don't understand.”
“I do.”
“No.”
He tried to sit.
I pushed him down.
“You are impossible.”
A faint smile.
“You're still here.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because this time, I'm not trapped.”
His eyes softened.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
Then I kissed him.
No contract.
No arrangement.
No witnesses.
Just choice.
The trial against Henry began.
My mother testified.
Lydia testified.
I testified.
Vincent testified.
The Bellante family was exposed.
Anthony's crimes were uncovered.
Vincent's father's role became public.
The old organization collapsed.
Vincent turned over every illegal business.
He kept only legitimate companies.
He paid restitution.
He funded housing programs.
He helped families damaged by the old network.
And he never asked me to forgive what he had inherited.
He simply spent years proving he would never become it.
One day, he returned home with a small box.
I stared.
“What is that?”
“Something I should have given you before.”
Inside was the original marriage contract.
He removed the page where my signature appeared.
Then he tore it in half.
“You don't owe me a year.”
He tore it again.
“You don't owe me anything.”
He handed me the pieces.
“But I still want you.”
May you like
I smiled.
“Good.”
