Chapter 9 - The Woman Who Stopped Hiding
A year later, Dominic Russo no longer ran an underground empire.
He ran a legitimate logistics company.
He worked fewer hours.
He slept more.
He smiled occasionally.
Mateo claimed the change was disturbing.
"It's unnatural," he complained.
Dominic ignored him.
Penelope now ran operations.
No cardigan.
No oversized glasses.
No apologies for existing.
She still tripped sometimes.
That part hadn't changed.
Dominic secretly loved it.
One evening, he found her in the office staring at a bouquet.
White roses.
He froze.
"Who bought you those flowers?"
She looked up.
"You."
"I didn't."
She smiled.
"No?"
He walked closer.
There was a card.
She handed it to him.
YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU STOP HIDING.
Dominic stared.
It was the same message as the first night.
But beneath it was a second line.
THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY DAUGHTER.
The signature was Isabella Russo.
Dominic looked at Penelope.
"She's still alive."
Penelope nodded.
"She's in witness protection."
Dominic smiled.
"Good."
Penelope leaned against his shoulder.
"Do you ever regret meeting me?"
"Never."
"Even the coffee?"
"Especially the coffee."
She laughed.
He kissed her forehead.
Then got down on one knee.
She stopped laughing.
"Dominic?"
"I know this isn't exactly how I planned it."
He held up a ring.
"I planned dinner. Music. A speech."
She stared.
"But?"
"But then I realized I don't need a speech."
He looked into her eyes.
"I spent years thinking strength meant never needing anyone."
Penelope's eyes filled.
"You proved me wrong."
He held out the ring.
"Marry me."
She covered her mouth.
"Are you serious?"
"Unfortunately."
She laughed through tears.
"Yes."
He slipped the ring onto her finger.
The woman who had entered his life hiding beneath a cardigan was now standing in front of him with diamonds on her hand and no reason left to hide.
But the story wasn't over.
Because there was one final secret.
A secret Penelope had not told Dominic.
She was pregnant.
She waited until after the wedding to tell him.
Dominic stared at the test.
Then at her.
Then back at the test.
"You're sure?"
She nodded.
His face changed.
Fear.
Joy.
Disbelief.
He dropped into a chair.
"I'm going to be a father."
She smiled.
"Yes."
He laughed.
May you like
Then he cried.
And Penelope realized that the man everyone called ruthless had been waiting his whole life for a reason to become gentle.
