Chapter 10 - THE RETURN OF LEO BELL
Leo Bell returned to the city in spring.
Tessa met him at the train station. He stepped onto the platform carrying a duffel bag and wearing a jacket too thin for the weather.
For a moment they simply stared at each other.
Then she hugged him.
He held her carefully, remembering her healing ribs.
“You look better,” he said.
“So do you.”
He smiled. It was the first genuine smile she'd seen from him in years.
They spent the afternoon walking through their old neighborhood. The bakery storefront was still empty. Its sign had been removed, leaving pale letters on the brick.
Leo stood in front of it.
“I thought coming back would make me angry.”
“Does it?”
“Yes,” he said. “But not only angry.”
They went inside with the property manager. The floor needed repairs. The ovens were gone. Water damage stained the ceiling.
Leo ran his hand along the counter where he had once rolled dough.
“I could reopen,” he whispered.
Tessa watched him.
“You don't have to prove anything.”
“I know.”
That evening, they met Elena Marquez to review the proposed restitution settlement. The amount covered documented losses, but Leo had questions about the property rights and tax consequences. Elena recommended that he obtain independent legal advice before accepting.
Vincent arrived only after Leo requested the meeting.
The two men stood across from each other in a plain conference room.
Leo looked at him with open contempt.
“You destroyed my business.”
Vincent nodded. “Yes.”
“My marriage nearly ended because of the debt.”
“I'm sorry.”
“I don't care if you're sorry.”
“I understand.”
Leo's voice shook. “I wanted to kill you for a while.”
Tessa moved closer, but her brother raised a hand.
“I'm not going to. I just wanted you to know.”
Vincent looked at him. “You have every reason to hate me.”
Leo exhaled.
“I don't want to spend the rest of my life hating you.”
He picked up the documents.
“I want my bakery back. Not as a gift. As restitution for what was taken.”
“Then that's what the process should provide,” Vincent said.
Outside, Tessa walked beside her brother.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
Leo looked at the spring sunlight on the sidewalk.
“Not yet.”
May you like
He smiled faintly.
“But I think I might be.”
