Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED HIS PROTECTION
The offer arrived in September.
A scholarship.
A six-month art-history program in Florence.
My dream.
I stared at the acceptance letter.
My hands shook.
Elio found me in the library.
“What happened?”
I looked up.
“I got in.”
He smiled.
“Florence?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
For a moment, his expression changed.
Something like sadness.
Then he smiled again.
“Congratulations.”
I stared.
“You're not going to tell me I can't go?”
Elio shook his head.
“No.”
I swallowed.
“What about security?”
“We can discuss options.”
I looked down.
“And our marriage?”
He was silent.
Then said:
“That depends on what we both want.”
My heart raced.
I stared.
“Do you want me to stay?”
Elio looked at me.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then whispered:
“Yes.”
My breath caught.
He continued.
“But I won't ask you to give up Florence.”
I began crying.
Elio stepped closer.
Stopped.
Then asked:
“May I?”
I nodded.
He hugged me.
Gently.
Carefully.
As though he were afraid I'd disappear.
I rested my head against his chest.
For the first time, I wanted to stay.
Not because I had to.
Because I was beginning to love him.
But I also wanted Florence.
And I knew I couldn't build a future with Elio if it required abandoning myself.
May you like
So I chose to go.
And Elio let me.
