Chapter 10 - THE KISS THAT WASN'T A RESCUE
Ara filed for divorce.
She moved into Rosehaven.
She began rebuilding her event-planning business under her own name.
And for the first time in eleven years, she made decisions without asking Callum's permission.
Lucien visited occasionally.
Sometimes for dinner.
Sometimes to help carry furniture.
Sometimes just to talk.
One evening, they sat on the porch beneath a blanket.
Snow fell softly across the garden.
Ara looked at him.
“Do you remember the night you found me?”
Lucien nodded.
“Yes.”
“I thought you were going to ask for something.”
He looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because everyone always did.”
Lucien was quiet.
Then said:
“I wanted you safe.”
Ara swallowed.
“And now?”
He turned toward her.
“Now I want you happy.”
Her heart tightened.
She leaned closer.
“Lucien.”
He looked at her.
“Yes?”
“Can I kiss you?”
For a moment, he didn't move.
Then he smiled.
“Yes.”
Ara kissed him.
Not because she needed shelter.
Not because she owed him gratitude.
Because she wanted to.
May you like
And when he kissed her back, she felt something she hadn't felt in years.
Free.
