Chapter 9 - Adrian Showed Grace the Place Where His Old Life Finally Died
Five years after the crash, Adrian took Grace back to Sheridan Road.
The tree was still there.
The scar in the bark remained.
Grace stood beside him.
“I remember this.”
“So do I.”
He reached into his coat.
She frowned.
“What?”
He handed her a small metal plaque.
She read it.
This tree marks the night one stranger saved another stranger's life.
Grace laughed.
“You put up a plaque?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because every time I think my life is mine, I remember it started with you.”
She looked at him.
“You'd still be alive without me.”
“No.”
“Probably.”
“No.”
He took her hand.
“I wouldn't be the man I am.”
Grace rested against him.
The road was quiet.
Snow fell softly.
She thought about everything they had survived.
The fire.
The threats.
Victor.
The secrets.
Her mother's return.
Their wedding.
Their daughter.
Their life.
“Do you ever miss the old Adrian?”
He smiled.
“No.”
“Never?”
“Not once.”
“Why?”
“Because that man had everything except you.”
She smiled.
They returned home.
Their daughter ran toward them.
“Mom!”
Grace lifted her.
“Hey, sweetheart.”
“Dad said we have a surprise.”
Adrian looked guilty.
Grace narrowed her eyes.
“What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
Their daughter giggled.
He had bought Grace a small cottage.
Not a mansion.
Not a fortress.
A cottage beside a lake.
It had a porch.
A garden.
A huge kitchen.
And a reading room.
Grace cried.
“You remembered.”
“Everything you ever wanted.”
She hugged him.
“This is too much.”
“No.”
He kissed her.
“This is finally enough.”
That night, they sat by the fire.
Eleanor slept upstairs.
Grace rested her head on Adrian's shoulder.
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“If we ever become afraid again, we talk.”
“Yes.”
“No secrets.”
“Yes.”
“No trying to protect me by lying.”
He smiled.
“Yes.”
She kissed him.
May you like
Adrian whispered,
“I promise.”
