Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO WALKED AWAY FROM THE EMPIRE
Sophia Moretti ended her engagement negotiations with Ryan three days later.
She did it publicly.
Not through gossip.
Not through a dramatic confrontation.
Through a formal statement announcing that her family's proposed partnership with Carter Maritime would not proceed under Ryan's leadership.
Ryan was furious.
He called her repeatedly.
She ignored him.
Then he called me.
I blocked his number.
Sophia invited me to lunch.
We met at a small Italian restaurant in Manhattan.
She arrived without bodyguards.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Where's your security?”
She smiled.
“Across the street.”
I laughed.
For the first time, we felt like two ordinary women.
Sophia looked at me.
“I owe you an apology.”
I frowned.
“For what?”
“For believing Ryan.”
I shook my head.
“He fooled both of us.”
She nodded.
Then smiled sadly.
“I thought I was marrying someone ambitious.”
I looked at her.
“And?”
“I discovered I was marrying someone who confused ambition with entitlement.”
We laughed.
Then she became serious.
“Emma, don't let this make you afraid to love again.”
I looked down.
“I'm not sure I know how.”
Sophia smiled.
“Then take your time.”
That evening, Daniel called.
“Dinner?”
I smiled.
“Are you cooking?”
“Attempting.”
I laughed.
“I'll bring dessert.”
When I arrived, he had made chicken parmesan.
It was slightly burned.
The pasta was overcooked.
But he had set the table with two candles and fresh flowers.
I looked around.
“You did all this?”
Daniel shrugged.
“I watched three cooking videos.”
I smiled.
“And ignored all of them?”
He laughed.
“Apparently.”
We ate.
Talked.
Laughed.
And for the first time, I realized something.
I wasn't waiting for Ryan to apologize anymore.
I wasn't checking my phone.
I wasn't replaying the wedding.
I was simply happy to be sitting across from Daniel.
After dinner, he walked me to the door.
“Emma?”
“Yes?”
He hesitated.
“Can I kiss you?”
My heart quickened.
I looked at him.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
He leaned forward slowly.
Giving me time to change my mind.
I didn't.
And when his lips touched mine, there was no bargain.
No debt.
No family agreement.
May you like
Just a choice.
Mine.
