Chapter 7 - The Night Daniel Chose UsMarcus was arrested.
The company survived.
But Daniel's reputation suffered.
For the first time in his career, he understood that success without trust meant nothing.
He came to Oregon.
Not with flowers.
Not with gifts.
Just himself.
He stood outside the bookstore.
"Can we talk?"
I nodded.
We walked along the harbor.
"I want to apologize."
"You already have."
"I know."
He looked at the water.
"But I finally understand something."
"What?"
"I spent years building a company because I thought success would make me worthy."
I listened.
"But I was already worthy."
He looked at me.
"So were you."
I smiled faintly.
"That's something I wish you'd realized sooner."
"Me too."
He took a breath.
"I don't want you to come back because you're pregnant."
"I know."
"I don't want you to come back because we're married."
"I know."
"I want you to choose me only if you believe I've become someone you can trust."
I looked at him.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I'll still be your daughter's father."
My heart tightened.
"You really mean that?"
"Yes."
He reached into his pocket.
Not a ring.
A small key.
"What's that?"
"The apartment next door."
I stared at him.
"I rented it."
"Why?"
"So I'm close."
"You don't have to live here."
"I want to."
He looked at me.
"I don't want to visit my daughter."
"I want to be there."
I looked away.
Tears filled my eyes.
For years, I had wanted him to say those words.
May you like
Now that he finally did, they didn't magically repair everything.
But they mattered.
