Chapter 8 - NOTHING OWED
One year after Jason’s sentencing, Morgana invited Roman to breakfast.
He arrived precisely at nine.
No flowers.
She had banned unnecessary gifts.
He followed instructions disturbingly well now.
Morgana placed a folder on the table.
“What is this?”
“Read.”
Roman opened it.
A repayment agreement.
He frowned.
“Morgana.”
“The forty thousand.”
“No.”
“You paid Jason’s debt.”
“I burned it.”
“You still lost forty thousand.”
“That was my choice.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I need the story to stop beginning with you paying for me.”
Roman stared.
She continued.
“I can't repay forty thousand today.”
“No.”
“But I can repay something monthly.”
“No.”
“Roman.”
“No.”
She folded her arms.
“Why?”
“Because accepting repayment would validate the premise that you were connected to the debt.”
Morgana stopped.
He continued.
“You were not.”
“The money bought my exit.”
“No.”
Roman’s voice sharpened.
“The money bought Jason’s silence for ten minutes while you packed.”
He leaned forward.
“You owe me nothing.”
Morgana’s eyes filled.
“Not gratitude.”
“Nothing.”
“Not loyalty.”
“Nothing.”
“Not love.”
His face changed.
“No.”
That answer mattered most.
Morgana closed the folder.
“Good.”
Roman looked at her.
“Good?”
She stood.
Walked around the table.
Then kissed him.
He froze.
She stepped back.
Roman stared.
“What was that?”
“My decision.”
“Morgana.”
“Yes?”
“Do it again.”
She smiled.
“That sounded like an order.”
Roman exhaled.
“Would you please do that again?”
“Better.”
She kissed him again.
Nothing exploded.
No debt became romance.
No cage became love.
Two adults made a choice.
That was all.
May you like
That was everything.
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