Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO CHOSE TO STAY
Elena returned the following afternoon.
Not as an employee.
Not as someone hiding.
As a guest who had chosen to visit.
She wore a pale green maternity dress.
Her hair was braided over one shoulder.
Alessandro met her near the temporary stable.
“You look well.”
“I feel enormous.”
He smiled.
“You look healthy.”
“That's a diplomatic answer.”
“I'm learning.”
She laughed.
They visited Midnight together.
The stallion stood quietly while Claire examined him.
Elena remained outside the stall.
Midnight stretched his neck toward her.
She touched his muzzle.
“Hello, troublemaker.”
Alessandro watched.
“He missed you.”
“He missed the sugar.”
“Of course.”
She smiled.
Then became serious.
“Alessandro, I need to tell you something.”
He turned.
“I'm listening.”
“I don't want to spend my life being protected by powerful men.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
“But I also don't want to pretend I don't care about you.”
Alessandro went still.
Elena looked down.
“I know your reputation.”
“Yes.”
“I know you've done things I probably wouldn't approve of.”
“Yes.”
“And I know you're trying to change.”
He watched her.
“I'm trying.”
She looked up.
“I don't know what this is.”
“Neither do I.”
“But I want to find out.”
Alessandro's expression softened.
“Elena, you're about to have a baby.”
“I know.”
“You have enough complications.”
She smiled faintly.
“Are you telling me you're a complication?”
“A significant one.”
She laughed.
Then stepped closer.
“I didn't ask you to solve my life.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“I asked whether we could find out what this is.”
Alessandro looked at her.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
***
They began spending time together carefully.
Short walks through the gardens.
Dinner on the terrace.
Conversations about Montana.
About Alessandro's sister.
About Elena's childhood.
She learned that Alessandro's sister had loved horses.
That Midnight had been her final gift to him.
That after her death, Alessandro had become obsessed with controlling everything around him.
Because he had been unable to save her.
Elena listened.
Then said:
“You can't make the world safe by frightening everyone in it.”
Alessandro looked at her.
“No.”
She touched his hand.
“But you can make one person feel safe by giving them a choice.”
He smiled.
“You keep teaching me that.”
“Someone has to.”
***
That evening, Elena felt a sharp contraction.
She stopped walking.
Alessandro noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
She gripped his arm.
“Wait.”
Another contraction followed.
Her expression changed.
“Alessandro.”
“Yes?”
“I think Isabella is coming.”
He went pale.
“Now?”
Elena laughed through the pain.
“No, next Thursday.”
He stared.
She squeezed his hand.
“Call the hospital.”
For the first time in his adult life, Alessandro Salvatore looked completely unprepared.
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And Elena, despite the pain, couldn't stop laughing.
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