Chapter 9 - The Life We Never Thought We Could Have
Two years passed.
I finished my psychology degree.
Dante built a legitimate security company.
Lucas became the chairman.
James moved to another state.
We spoke occasionally.
The anger had faded.
Not disappeared.
But faded.
Lily became a fearless toddler who believed every man in a suit was her uncle.
She adored Dante.
One Saturday morning, I found them in the kitchen.
Dante was trying to teach her how to crack an egg.
The result was disastrous.
Shell everywhere.
Lily laughing.
I leaned against the doorway.
“This is what became of Chicago’s most feared man.”
He looked at me.
“I've fallen far.”
“You have.”
He pulled me closer.
“I have something for you.”
A small box.
Inside was a key.
“To what?”
“Our new house.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“I bought a place outside the city.”
“You bought a house without telling me?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“That sounds like exactly the sort of thing you would do.”
He smiled.
“It has a backyard.”
Lily shouted from the kitchen.
“Garden!”
“She wants a garden.”
“She told me.”
We moved three weeks later.
The house was simple.
Warm.
Quiet.
No armed guards at the front door.
No black SUVs.
No secrets in basement rooms.
Just sunlight.
Bookshelves.
A kitchen full of Lily’s fingerprints.
And a little garden.
One evening, I sat on the porch.
Dante joined me.
“Do you ever miss it?”
“Chicago?”
“The old life.”
He looked at me.
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“I miss who I thought I had to be.”
He took my hand.
“But I don't miss being him.”
I leaned against his shoulder.
“Neither do I.”
He kissed my forehead.
Then he stood.
“Sophia.”
“Yes?”
“Will you marry me?”
I laughed.
“You already asked me that.”
“I know.”
“You asked three months ago.”
“I know.”
“I said I needed time.”
“I know.”
“Why are you asking again?”
“Because I’m stubborn.”
“That I know.”
He knelt anyway.
I stared at the ring.
It was simple.
No diamonds larger than necessary.
No spectacle.
Just gold.
Engraved on the inside were three words.
You Saved Me.
My eyes filled.
“You saved me first,” I whispered.
He smiled.
“So?”
I looked at Lily playing in the grass.
Then back at Dante.
“Yes.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger.
Lily ran toward us.
“Mommy!”
She climbed into my lap.
Then looked at Dante.
“Daddy?”
We both froze.
Dante’s eyes filled with tears.
I laughed through mine.
“Did she just call you Daddy?”
He nodded slowly.
“I think so.”
Lily pointed at the ring.
“Wedding?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“We’re getting married.”
She clapped.
“Party!”
I kissed her forehead.
Dante kissed mine.
For the first time in years, there was no fear waiting behind the next door.
No one following us.
No one threatening Lily.
No hidden ledger.
No missing father.
No criminal empire.
Just us.
The three of us.
And somehow, that felt more luxurious than anything money could buy.
The wedding took place in the garden the following spring.
Mrs. Patel cried.
Lucas gave the toast.
James sent a letter.
Even the former manager of the Velvet Room attended.
I walked down the aisle in a simple ivory dress.
Dante waited beneath an arch of flowers.
He looked nervous.
I had never seen him nervous before.
When I reached him, he whispered:
“You came.”
I smiled.
“I always do.”
He took my hands.
“I spent years believing I had to earn happiness.”
“You don't.”
“I know that now.”
We exchanged vows.
Not about wealth.
Not about protection.
Not about family names.
About choice.
We chose each other.
Lily carried the rings.
She dropped them halfway down the aisle.
Everyone laughed.
Dante picked them up.
Then whispered, “Good thing I know how to handle dangerous situations.”
I laughed.
“You're ridiculous.”
“I married a woman who worked four nights a week in a nightclub while raising a baby. I already knew you were dangerous.”
Our first dance was awkward.
Beautiful.
Nothing like the dances I used to perform.
This one belonged to us.
When the music ended, Dante held me close.
“You know what the strangest part is?”
“What?”
“I watched you dance for months.”
“You did.”
“I thought I was saving you from something.”
“And?”
He smiled.
“You were saving me.”
I kissed him.
The applause around us disappeared.
May you like
For once, the world was quiet.
And safe.
