Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE BOUGHT
Dante offered to purchase the empty storefront beside Lena's art center.
She refused.
He looked surprised.
“Why?”
Lena smiled faintly.
“Because I want to build something myself.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
She stared.
“That's it?”
Dante smiled.
“That's it.”
Lena laughed softly.
“Five years ago, you would have bought the entire block.”
He chuckled.
“Probably.”
She looked at him.
“Thank you.”
He shook his head.
“You don't have to thank me for respecting your decisions.”
Lena eventually secured a small business loan in her own name.
She opened Briar Glen Gallery.
A bright storefront filled with paintings, ceramics, and work by local artists.
Dante attended the opening.
He stood quietly near the back.
Watching Lena greet guests.
Laugh.
Talk about art.
Shine.
Marco, who had accompanied him, smiled faintly.
“She looks happy.”
Dante nodded.
“Yes.”
Marco looked at him.
“You could have given her all this.”
Dante shook his head.
“No.”
He watched Lena.
“I could have paid for it.”
His eyes softened.
“But she needed to build it herself.”
That evening, Lena found Dante standing outside.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
He smiled.
“Very much.”
She looked at him.
“You didn't try to buy anything.”
Dante laughed.
“I bought a painting.”
Lena raised an eyebrow.
“Which one?”
He pointed toward a small watercolor of the lake.
She smiled.
“Good choice.”
Dante took her hand.
“I'm proud of you.”
Lena's eyes filled.
May you like
For years, she'd wanted him to see her as more than his wife.
Now he finally did.
