Chapter 13 - THE KISS AFTER THE STORM
The legal proceedings continued for months.
Grant faced criminal charges and civil consequences.
Evelyn's disputed debts were gradually corrected through the appropriate processes.
Her divorce was finalized.
She reclaimed her maiden name.
Evelyn Hart.
The first time she signed it on a document, she cried.
Not because she regretted the marriage.
Because she finally felt like herself again.
---
Vincent waited outside the courthouse on the day her divorce became final.
He stood beside a black sedan.
No security entourage.
No dramatic entrance.
Just Vincent.
Evelyn approached.
“Hello.”
He smiled.
“Hello, Evelyn.”
She looked at him.
“It's Hart now.”
His smile widened.
“Evelyn Hart.”
She laughed softly.
“Sounds good, doesn't it?”
“Very.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Vincent asked, “Would you like to have dinner with me?”
Evelyn raised an eyebrow.
“A date?”
He smiled.
“If you'd like.”
She considered it.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Vincent looked almost surprised.
“Really?”
She laughed.
“Really.”
He stepped closer.
Then stopped.
“May I kiss you?”
Evelyn smiled.
“Yes.”
He kissed her gently.
And for the first time in years, Evelyn felt no fear when a man reached for her.
Only warmth.
May you like
Only choice.
Only the beginning of something new.
