Chapter 7 - The Night Matteo Had to Choose Between Revenge and His FamilyWilliam's trial began.
Marcus was still missing.
Sabrina testified.
Her reputation was destroyed.
But she accepted it.
She had caused damage.
Now she wanted to repair what she could.
The children remained protected.
Matteo and Elena grew closer.
One night, he asked her:
“Would you marry me again?”
She stared.
“You're insane.”
“Possibly.”
“You divorced me.”
“I know.”
“You chose another woman.”
“I know.”
“You nearly lost nine years with your children.”
“I know.”
“And you think asking me to marry you again fixes that?”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I think loving you correctly might.”
She didn't answer.
He didn't push.
Weeks passed.
Then Marcus appeared.
He kidnapped Matteo.
Not the children.
Matteo.
He woke in an abandoned warehouse.
Marcus sat across from him.
“You took everything.”
Matteo laughed.
“You took it yourself.”
Marcus smiled.
“Your family is finished.”
He showed Matteo a video.
Elena.
The children.
Safe.
For now.
Marcus wanted access to the trusts.
“I won't give you anything.”
“You will.”
“Why?”
“Because I know what you love.”
Marcus smiled.
“You finally learned.”
Matteo looked at him.
“Where is William?”
“Dead.”
Matteo froze.
“What?”
“His heart gave out in custody.”
Marcus laughed.
“The old man couldn't survive knowing he lost.”
“Let my family go.”
“No.”
Then the warehouse doors opened.
Police.
FBI.
Matteo's security.
And Elena.
She stepped inside.
Marcus stared.
“How?”
Elena smiled.
“Sabrina.”
His face changed.
“She betrayed me.”
“No.”
“She chose humanity.”
Marcus raised his gun.
Matteo moved.
The shot missed.
Police tackled Marcus.
Silence.
Elena ran to Matteo.
She hugged him.
He buried his face in her hair.
“I thought I lost you.”
“You didn't.”
“You came.”
“Always.”
The children arrived minutes later.
Nico ran into his arms.
Lia followed.
Theo held his waist.
Matteo dropped to his knees.
“I love you.”
Nico laughed.
“We know.”
Later that night, Matteo and Elena sat outside.
“You came after me.”
“Yes.”
“You weren't afraid.”
“I was terrified.”
He looked at her.
“You didn't show it.”
“I learned from you.”
He smiled.
She took his hand.
“I think I can forgive you.”
His eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“But?”
She smiled.
“There is always a but.”
“What is it?”
“If we're doing this again, we're doing it differently.”
“How?”
“No secrets.”
“Agreed.”
“No running away.”
“Agreed.”
“And no choosing another woman.”
He laughed.
“I don't think anyone else could survive you.”
She smiled.
“Good answer.”
He leaned closer.
“May I kiss you?”
She nodded.
Their kiss was nothing like their first marriage.
It wasn't desperate.
It wasn't rushed.
It was a choice.
A conscious one.
May you like
And when they pulled apart, Elena whispered:
“Maybe this time we get it right.”
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