Chapter 9 - The Choice That Finally Belonged to Us
Years later, Victor received an offer.
A legitimate company wanted him to become chief executive.
No criminal ties.
No hidden network.
A new life.
But accepting meant leaving New Orleans for six months.
The boys were older.
Lucia was eleven.
Everyone wanted Victor to go.
I didn't.
Not because I feared losing him.
Because I wanted him to choose.
He asked what I thought.
“I think you should go.”
He looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“What about us?”
“We'll visit.”
“And if I don't?”
“I'll support that too.”
He stared at me.
“You're not afraid I'll leave?”
I smiled.
“I used to be.”
“What changed?”
“I learned that love isn't keeping someone close.”
I touched his hand.
“It's trusting them to come back.”
He kissed me.
He accepted the position.
Six months later, he returned.
The boys ran into his arms.
Lucia hugged him.
And I stood back.
He walked toward me.
“I came home.”
“I know.”
“I missed you.”
“I know.”
He smiled.
“I think you knew.”
“Yes.”
He laughed.
That night, he handed me an envelope.
Inside was the title deed to the old mansion.
“What is this?”
“You wanted security.”
“I already have security.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“This house belongs to you.”
I stared.
“Victor.”
“I want you to own it.”
“Why?”
“Because you turned it from a place of fear into a home.”
I started crying.
He wiped my tears.
“Don't cry.”
“You made me cry.”
“I'll take responsibility.”
I laughed.
We stood together at the window.
The boys were in the garden.
Lucia was teaching them to fold paper boats.
The same river flowed outside.
May you like
The same house.
But nothing was the same.
