Page 175 of The Ache That Stayed

“It makes you necessary to her. And I won’t make her smaller just so I can understand her.”

His gaze didn’t waver. Neither challenging nor submitting.

“I never wanted your place,” he said. “I just wanted her.”

His hand on her waist tightened. I believed him. I exhaled slowly. The decision had already been made. What mattered to her stayed. Even when it cost me.

And for the first time, I didn’t see it as a bond broken. I saw it for what it was. A life I’d already chosen.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I love you both.”

My hand came up instinctively, settling at the back of her neck as I pulled her closer. I pressed a slow kiss to her forehead.

Santino leaned in, his lips brushing her temple.

And just like that, she stood between us. No longer apologising. No longer trying to carve herself in half.

Simply loved.

And somehow—impossibly—it worked.

Roxanne’s fingers tightened slightly against my shirt.

“The world won’t understand this,” she whispered.

“They don’t have to.”

Her eyes lifted between us, uncertain still.

“People will talk.”

Santino snorted. “Let them.”

A familiar edge entered his voice.

“Anyone stupid enough to disrespect it won’t live long enough to repeat it.”

Despite herself, a breathless laugh escaped her. My hand settled at the side of her neck.

“What exists in this house,” I said, “answers to no one outside it.”

Her throat bobbed.

And for the first time since all of this began—I didn’t reach for a weapon. Because I already knew. If she asked me to choose—I wouldn’t. And if the world had a problem with that—

It could fucking burn.

EPILOGUE 1

Santino

(1.5 years later)

Ayear ago, I would’ve laughed in someone’s face if they told me this would become my life. Not because it sounded impossible. Because men like me didn’t get to keep things this good.

Instead I would’ve bet money this would end in blood.

Mine, probably.