Chapter 9 - THE WOMAN WHO CHOSE HERSELF
By spring, I had a small apartment.
A job I loved.
A growing belly.
And a routine that belonged entirely to me.
I attended prenatal appointments.
Saved money.
Bought secondhand baby clothes.
And learned how to live without waiting for Connor's approval.
Alessandro visited occasionally.
Sometimes he brought groceries.
Sometimes he brought flowers.
Once he arrived with a tiny pair of yellow baby socks.
I laughed.
“Alessandro.”
He looked embarrassed.
“They were near the register.”
I smiled.
“Of course.”
One evening, we sat on my balcony watching the sunset.
I looked at him.
“Do you ever think about leaving your world?”
He was silent.
Then nodded.
“Every day.”
I stared.
“Why don't you?”
He looked toward the mountains.
“Because leaving isn't as simple as walking away.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
He turned.
“I'm trying to separate the legitimate businesses from everything else.”
I studied him.
“Why?”
He smiled sadly.
“Because I don't want the next generation to inherit my mistakes.”
I looked down at my belly.
The baby moved for the first time that evening.
A tiny flutter.
I gasped.
Alessandro sat forward.
“What?”
I smiled.
“The baby.”
His eyes widened.
“Is everything okay?”
I laughed.
“Yes.”
I took his hand.
Then hesitated.
He waited.
I placed his palm gently against my stomach.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then another small movement.
Alessandro froze.
His eyes filled.
“Madison.”
I smiled through tears.
“I know.”
He looked at me.
And in that moment, something changed between us.
Not because he was powerful.
May you like
Not because he'd saved me.
But because he was gentle with something fragile.
