Chapter 12 - THE HOUSE WITH THE OPEN DOORS
Vincent took Emily to his childhood home.
Not the mansion that had burned.
A smaller house he'd purchased years later.
It stood on a quiet road outside the city.
There were apple trees in the yard.
A porch swing.
A garden that had been neglected.
Emily looked around.
“It's beautiful.”
Vincent smiled.
“It needs work.”
She laughed.
“So do most good things.”
They spent the afternoon cleaning the garden.
Vincent wore old jeans.
Emily wore gloves.
They pulled weeds.
Trimmed branches.
Planted roses.
At sunset, Vincent stood beside her.
“My father used to say a house isn't a home until someone laughs in it.”
Emily smiled.
“Then we're making progress.”
Vincent looked at her.
“I want you to feel safe here.”
She nodded.
“I do.”
Then she added:
“But I don't want to disappear into your life.”
He looked at her.
“You won't.”
“I want to keep working.”
“Of course.”
“I want to finish my degree.”
Vincent smiled.
“Then finish it.”
Emily stared.
“You make it sound simple.”
He shook his head.
“Not simple.”
He took her hand.
“Just yours to decide.”
She smiled.
May you like
And in that moment, she realized something.
The man she'd been sent to as a joke had become the first person in years who made her feel like she didn't have to apologize for wanting more.
