Chapter 6 - The One Thing Dominic Did That Made Sarah Walk AwayAfter Salvatore's arrest, Dominic gave Sarah something she had never expected.
Freedom.
He closed two clubs.
Sold three businesses.
Moved half his operations into legitimate companies.
He wanted to leave the criminal world behind.
Sarah watched him work.
He became a different man.
Not softer.
Better.
But something still bothered her.
Then she discovered why.
Dominic had purchased Golden Hour Bakery.
Sarah found the deed in his desk.
She stared at it.
“You bought my bakery.”
He turned.
“Yes.”
“Without telling me.”
“I was going to.”
“When?”
“I don't know.”
“You promised me.”
“I know.”
“So you lied.”
“No.”
“You made a decision about my life without me.”
He stepped forward.
“I wanted to protect you.”
“No.”
Sarah shook her head.
“You wanted to control the thing that mattered to me.”
“That isn't true.”
“Then why did you buy it?”
“Because the landlord wanted to sell.”
“I could have handled it.”
“I knew you could.”
“Then why?”
Dominic didn't answer.
Sarah's eyes filled.
“This is exactly what I was afraid of.”
“Sarah.”
“I told you I didn't need rescuing.”
“I wasn't rescuing you.”
“You were deciding for me.”
He reached for her.
She stepped back.
“Don't.”
He stopped.
The old Dominic might have argued.
This Dominic didn't.
He handed her the deed.
“Then take it.”
She stared.
“What?”
“I'll transfer it back.”
“That easy?”
“No.”
His voice broke.
“Nothing with you is easy.”
She almost smiled.
But the hurt remained.
“I need space.”
Dominic nodded.
“How much?”
“I don't know.”
He placed his keys on the desk.
“The house is yours.”
“Dominic.”
“If you need me gone, I'll go.”
She looked at him.
“You'd really do that?”
“Yes.”
He walked away.
For the next three weeks, Sarah didn't see him.
She reopened the bakery.
She spent evenings with her father.
She repaired the relationship with Gemma.
She even began dreaming again.
Then one morning she received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a contract.
Dominic had transferred every asset he had placed under his control back to Sarah.
The bakery.
The trust.
The property.
Everything.
At the bottom was one sentence.
You told me you wanted to be chosen, not owned. I'm learning the difference.
Sarah cried.
That evening, she went to Dominic's apartment.
He opened the door.
He looked exhausted.
“Sarah.”
“I read the letter.”
He nodded.
“I meant it.”
She stared at him.
“Why didn't you fight for me?”
His eyes were wet.
“Because loving you means respecting the answer when you say no.”
She stepped closer.
“And if I say yes?”
His voice was barely audible.
“I'll spend the rest of my life proving I'm worthy of it.”
She kissed him.
This time, there was no fear.
No rescue.
No debt.
Just choice.
Then she whispered:
“I choose you.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
For a man who had ordered people to kneel, threatened enemies, and controlled millions of dollars, he looked almost fragile.
Sarah smiled.
“What's wrong?”
May you like
He laughed quietly.
“I waited my whole life to hear that.”
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