Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO CHOSE TO CHANGE
After the fire, I moved into a small guest cottage on Dante's property.
I refused to move into his mansion.
He didn't argue.
That surprised me.
“You're learning,” I told him.
He smiled.
“Apparently.”
Over the following weeks, we grew closer.
Dante helped me arrange temporary care for my surviving beehives.
He accompanied me to meetings with insurance adjusters.
He listened when I cried.
And when I told him I needed space, he gave it to me.
One evening, we sat in the garden.
The sun was setting.
Dante looked unusually nervous.
“What?” I asked.
He hesitated.
“I've been speaking with my attorneys.”
“That sounds expensive.”
He smiled faintly.
“I'm restructuring my businesses.”
I looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
“Separating the legitimate companies from everything else. Cooperating with investigations. Accepting whatever consequences follow.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
He looked toward the sunset.
“Because I don't want to spend the rest of my life being someone Luca would be ashamed of.”
My throat tightened.
“And?”
He turned toward me.
“Because I want a future with you.”
My heart pounded.
“Dante...”
He took my hand.
“Not a future where you depend on me.”
He smiled.
“A future where you can tell me I'm being an idiot whenever necessary.”
I laughed.
“That could become a full-time job.”
“I know.”
He leaned closer.
May you like
I kissed him.
And for the first time in years, Dante Russo looked like a man who believed happiness might still be possible.
