Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T BE OWNED
The headlines changed.
MAFIA RIVAL ARRESTED AFTER KIDNAPPING ATTEMPT.
BUSINESSMAN DANTE MORETTI COOPERATES WITH FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.
EVENT COORDINATOR CLARA HAYES RETURNS TO WORK.
I stared at the last headline.
Then smiled.
Because that was the one that mattered.
I had returned to my career.
Not as Dante's girlfriend.
Not as a scandal.
As Clara Hayes.
An event coordinator.
A woman who loved organizing beautiful moments for other people.
Dante supported me.
But he didn't interfere.
He didn't buy my company.
Didn't insist I stop working.
Didn't tell me I should stay home.
One evening, he arrived at my office carrying takeout.
I laughed.
“Dante.”
He smiled.
“Dinner?”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Are you bribing me?”
He looked amused.
“Is it working?”
I smiled.
“Maybe.”
He kissed my forehead.
Then whispered:
“I'm proud of you.”
May you like
My eyes filled.
And for the first time, I believed a man could love me without trying to control me.
