Chapter 9 - The Table Where Nobody Was Invisible
Mave didn't move into Dominic's mansion immediately.
She made him work for it.
She told him she needed her own apartment.
Her own bank account.
Her own career.
Her own decisions.
Dominic agreed to everything.
Months later, she became the director of the Rossy Foundation's international language program.
She hired interpreters from refugee communities.
People who had been ignored.
People who spoke languages employers considered useless.
She knew better.
Languages could save lives.
One afternoon, Dominic walked into her office.
"You've hired thirty-two people."
"Thirty-six."
He smiled.
"You've spent more on translators than the old organization spent on security."
"Good."
He leaned against her desk.
"You are expensive."
"You can afford me."
"I can."
She looked up.
"Then stop complaining."
He laughed.
It was the kind of laugh Mave never expected from him.
Warm.
Uncontrolled.
Human.
Leo, Dominic's young nephew, often visited the foundation.
He loved Mave.
One day he asked Dominic a question.
"Is Aunt Mave the boss?"
Dominic smiled.
"She is."
"Even of you?"
Mave laughed.
"Especially of him."
Dominic looked offended.
"I made one mistake."
"You made twelve."
He smiled.
The wedding took place one year after the boardroom incident.
It wasn't a political wedding.
It wasn't a contract.
There were no criminal alliances.
No secret clauses.
No interpreters needed.
The vows were spoken in English.
Then Mave added something.
She translated them into French.
Then Russian.
Then Georgian.
Then Romani.
Everyone laughed.
Dominic shook his head.
"Showing off."
"Absolutely."
At the reception, Daniel approached.
"Boss."
Dominic looked at him.
"What?"
"Do you remember what you said that first night?"
"I said many things."
"You told her to put the bucket down."
Mave laughed.
Dominic looked embarrassed.
"I was trying to help."
"You were ordering."
"Fair."
Mave leaned toward him.
"And you still haven't apologized."
Dominic looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For not seeing you."
She smiled.
"Accepted."
Then Armand approached.
He looked healthier.
Helena stood beside him.
Eva was laughing with Daniel.
The families were no longer divided.
Not completely healed.
But trying.
That mattered.
During the final toast, Dominic raised his glass.
"To the woman who saved my brother."
Mave smiled.
"To the man who finally looked up."
Everyone laughed.
Then Dominic said something quieter.
"She taught me that the most dangerous thing in any room isn't a weapon."
He looked at Mave.
"It's the truth."
Mave's eyes filled.
May you like
The guests applauded.
And for the first time in generations, no one in the Rossy family was afraid of what the truth would reveal.
