Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO CAME WITHOUT HIS BODYGUARDS
Dante arrived in Briar Glen two days later.
Alone.
No convoy.
No armed men surrounding the street.
Just a rented car and a small overnight bag.
He stood outside Lena's cottage.
The porch light glowed.
A pair of gardening gloves rested beside the door.
A small wind chime moved in the breeze.
He knocked.
Lena opened the door.
For a moment, neither spoke.
She looked different.
Softer.
Tired.
Beautiful.
One hand rested against her stomach.
Dante's eyes filled.
“Hello,” he whispered.
Lena swallowed.
“Hello.”
He didn't step forward.
Didn't touch her.
Didn't demand anything.
He simply stood there.
Waiting.
Lena stepped aside.
“You can come in.”
Dante entered.
The cottage smelled of cinnamon and fresh paint.
Books lined the shelves.
Small paintings rested against the walls.
Everything felt like Lena.
He looked around.
“You've made a home.”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
They sat at the kitchen table.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Dante said:
“I was wrong.”
Lena looked at him.
He continued.
“I dismissed your concerns.”
His voice tightened.
“I forgot our anniversary.”
He swallowed.
“And I let Sofia kiss me.”
Lena's eyes filled.
Dante looked down.
“I don't have an excuse.”
She nodded slowly.
“Good.”
He looked up.
“I don't expect you to come back.”
Lena stared.
He continued.
“I want to be involved in our child's life.”
His eyes filled.
“And I want to do it in a way that respects you.”
Lena began crying.
Dante reached toward her.
Stopped.
She noticed.
Then slowly took his hand.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Lena whispered:
“I don't know if I can trust you again.”
Dante nodded.
“I understand.”
He looked at her stomach.
“May I?”
Lena hesitated.
Then nodded.
Dante gently placed his hand against her belly.
There was no movement yet.
But he smiled through tears.
“Hello, little one.”
Lena began crying harder.
Dante looked up.
“I won't disappear.”
She swallowed.
“Don't promise what you can't keep.”
He nodded.
May you like
“Then I'll show you.”
And for the first time, Lena believed he might understand the difference.
