Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BE AFRAID
The investigation moved slowly.
Too slowly for Vincent.
His attorneys warned that a twenty-three-year-old recording would require authentication.
The notebook needed verification.
Witnesses had died.
Records had disappeared.
Charles had money.
Influence.
Connections.
Vincent was furious.
Emily understood.
But she also knew anger could destroy the very justice he wanted.
One evening, she found him alone in his office.
He was staring at his father's photograph.
“Vincent.”
He looked up.
“You should go home.”
She shook her head.
“Not until you eat something.”
He almost smiled.
“Are you always this stubborn?”
“Yes.”
She placed a sandwich on his desk.
He stared at it.
Then laughed softly.
“My father used to do that.”
“What?”
“Make sure everyone ate before he did.”
Emily smiled.
“Then perhaps you should honor him by eating.”
He took the sandwich.
For several minutes, they sat quietly.
Then he asked:
“Why aren't you afraid of me?”
Emily looked at him.
“I am sometimes.”
His expression changed.
She continued.
“But being afraid of someone's reputation isn't the same as knowing who they are.”
Vincent studied her.
“And what do you know about me?”
Emily thought.
“You listen when I say no.”
He looked surprised.
“You don't treat my job like a measure of my worth.”
His eyes softened.
“And you were willing to hear something painful instead of using it as an excuse to hurt someone.”
Vincent looked down.
“I'm not a good man, Emily.”
She considered that.
“Then become a better one.”
He laughed.
A real laugh.
Warm.
Unexpected.
Emily smiled.
That evening, when he walked her to the elevator, he asked:
“Would you have dinner with me again?”
She looked at him.
“As friends?”
He hesitated.
Then smiled.
“I was hoping for something more.”
Emily's heart stopped.
She stared.
“Vincent.”
“I know.”
He stepped back slightly.
“Your employment makes this complicated. I don't want you to feel pressured.”
Emily swallowed.
He continued.
“If you'd rather I never mention it again, I won't.”
For a moment, Emily could barely speak.
Then she whispered:
“I need time.”
Vincent nodded.
“Take all you need.”
May you like
As the elevator doors closed, Emily looked at him.
And for the first time in years, she wondered whether her future might contain something beyond survival.
