Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT SHE FINALLY BROKE
Narelli returned to work four days later.
Roman found her at her desk at 7:45 a.m.
Her hair was perfectly arranged.
Her blouse was spotless.
Her calendar was open.
She looked like the same woman she'd always been.
Except Roman knew better.
“Good morning,” she said.
He stared.
“You're supposed to be resting.”
“I rested.”
“For four days.”
“An eternity.”
He sighed.
“Narelli.”
She looked up.
“Roman.”
He almost smiled.
Then noticed her hand trembling.
He moved closer.
“Are you in pain?”
“No.”
“Then what's wrong?”
She looked away.
“Nothing.”
Roman crouched beside her chair.
“Narelli.”
Her eyes filled.
And suddenly, the woman who had survived threats, bruises, police custody, and a conspiracy inside a mafia empire began crying.
“I was scared,” she whispered.
Roman's chest tightened.
“I know.”
“No, you don't.”
She covered her face.
“I thought Mickey was going to kill me.”
Roman remained still.
“I thought nobody would believe me.”
Her voice broke.
“And when they put me in that cell, I kept thinking I should have told you everything sooner.”
Roman reached for her hand.
“You did tell me.”
“Too late.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“You saved my mother.”
Narelli cried harder.
Roman gently pulled her into his arms.
She hesitated.
Then leaned against him.
For three years, she'd been the strongest person in every room.
Now, for one moment, she let someone else hold her together.
May you like
Roman closed his eyes.
And realized he was falling in love.
