“I’ll spend the night here,” I say. “And then tomorrow, I’ll return to Gabriel. And I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. I’ll make sure you’re happy.”
“And I’ll make sure you’re happy too. I love you, Aurora.”
“I love you too.”
We cling to each other for a long time after, knowing that our future is going to look different, but it’s the best thing for both of us.
Chapter Twenty
Aurora
My father takes me to Gabriel’s house. It’s his last act of letting me go into adulthood.
I’m so grateful that he’s doing well and has accepted me and Gabriel. Nothing could make this ending better.
After saying my goodbyes to my father, I hurry to the front door and knock. I was never given a key, I realize. That will have to change.
Charles opens the door. His normally stoic face seems happy to see me. “Aurora.”
“I’ve come back. Where’s Gabriel?”
“In the back garden.”
I rush past Charles and go straight to the backyard, knowing the way perfectly. Gabriel is seated on a bench, staring at the roses I would stare at for hours on some days. The days when he would be distant. But those days are past us.
“Gabriel,” I say.
He jerks to his feet and stares at me with shock. “Aurora. You’re back. It’s only been a day.”
“I know. But a day is enough to know I want to be with you.” I place my hands on his chest. “I love you, Gabriel. I meant that when I said it. You saved my life. You’ve opened up to me. It’s not the same as it once was when we first met. No more deals. I think we should just be together as husband and wife.”
“You really want that? You want to choose a life with me knowing that my life could put you in danger?”
“Yes,” I don’t hesitate to say. “I want a life with you, Gabriel. I want it more than anything. But we have to talk first before I can fully agree to come back. If you’ll have me.”
“Of course I’ll have you. I never wanted to let you go in the first place. I thought it was the right thing to do.”
“It was the right thing. You gave me my freedom to make my own choice and I am choosing you. But if we’re going to spend our lives together, then I need some assurances. My father will still be taken care of. I thought we could give him a nicer place to live. Maybe he could come work for you. Earn back the money he stole in a better way, rather than locking him up.”
Gabriel’s cheeks turn a little red. It’s rare to see him bashful. “All right. Fair enough. Your dad can work for me and I’ll buy him a nicer house.”
“Thank you. And I get to see my father whenever I want. I am not a prisoner. I get a key to the house and I get to come and go as I please. It’s safe now that Giovanni is dead. You don’t need to watch me like a hawk. I’ll be fine. I need this.”
He lets out a low sigh before nodding. “All right.”
“And you have to promise to never push me away again. Always let me in. It’s better this way.”
“That I can easily promise.” He settles his hands on my hips, pulling me in closer. “I liked letting you in. I felt a weight lift off me I didn’t even know I was carrying for so long.”
“I’m glad. Because we’re bound together now, forever. I am your wife and you’re my husband. Let’s choose each other. No more cells or dungeons. No more pain. You killed Giovanni. You can find peace now.”
“You’re right,” he says with another sigh. “I really want peace. God, I want it so bad.”
“Then you can have it. With me. If you choose me in return.”
“Of course I choose you, Aurora. I’ll always choose the brave, selfless woman who was never afraid to stand up to me. There’s no one else I’d rather be with.”
“Then it’s all settled. We can have our happy ending. We both can begin to heal from our wounds. We can start anew.”
