Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO HAD TO LEARN TO WAIT
Nico had never been good at waiting.
He'd built his reputation on decisive action.
If a rival threatened his interests, he responded.
If a business failed, he restructured it.
If someone betrayed him, he removed them from his organization.
But Elena was not a problem to solve.
And their marriage was not a company he could acquire again.
At the mediation office, she asked him questions.
Difficult ones.
Why hadn't he told her about Daniel Cross?
Why hadn't he involved her in decisions affecting her life?
Why had he lied in court?
Why had he allowed her to leave believing six years of marriage meant nothing?
Nico answered each one.
Without blaming her.
Without pretending his intentions erased the damage.
At one point, Elena began crying.
“You made me doubt everything.”
He looked down.
“I know.”
“No, Nico. I don't think you do.”
He raised his eyes.
She continued.
“I didn't just lose you. I lost the meaning of our memories.”
His throat tightened.
“I know I can't give that back with one letter.”
She nodded.
“Then don't try.”
He swallowed.
“All right.”
A long silence followed.
Then Elena placed a hand over her stomach.
“The baby is due in March.”
Nico's face changed.
He looked toward her hand.
For a moment, he couldn't speak.
“March,” he whispered.
She nodded.
“Yes.”
He smiled through tears.
“Have you chosen a doctor?”
“Yes.”
“Are you comfortable with the care?”
“Yes.”
He hesitated.
“Would you want me at an appointment?”
Elena considered the question.
“Maybe later.”
Nico nodded.
“Of course.”
She looked at him.
“I'm willing to discuss co-parenting.”
His eyes filled.
“Thank you.”
“But I need boundaries.”
“Name them.”
She took a breath.
“No unannounced visits.”
“Agreed.”
“No security personnel following me without my knowledge.”
He nodded.
“Agreed, subject to discussing any specific safety risks openly.”
“No decisions about the baby without involving me.”
“Of course.”
“And no using money to pressure me.”
Nico's expression softened.
“Never again.”
Elena studied him.
Then said something that surprised them both.
“And I want you to get help.”
He frowned.
“What kind?”
“Professional help. Someone who can challenge the way you think about control, fear, and loyalty.”
Nico was silent.
Therapy.
The word felt unfamiliar.
Men in his world didn't discuss emotions with strangers.
They buried them beneath work.
Alcohol.
Anger.
Violence.
But Elena was looking at him with an expression he remembered from the early days of their marriage.
Hope.
Not trust.
Not forgiveness.
Hope that he might become someone capable of making different choices.
He nodded.
“I'll do it.”
She looked surprised.
“Really?”
“Yes.”
For the first time, Nico wasn't trying to win an argument.
He was trying to understand why he'd destroyed the most important relationship in his life.
When the meeting ended, Elena stood.
Nico rose too.
He wanted to embrace her.
Kiss her.
Tell her he'd missed her every day.
Instead, he asked, “Would you like me to walk you out?”
She considered him.
Then shook her head.
“No. Ava is waiting.”
He nodded.
“Of course.”
Elena moved toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Nico.”
He looked up.
“Yes?”
“I loved you.”
His heart stopped.
She swallowed.
“I need you to understand that.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“I do.”
Her voice broke.
“I wasn't pretending either.”
Then she left.
Nico remained standing.
For the first time in his life, he understood that patience wasn't weakness.
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It was the price of respecting someone he'd once treated as though she had no right to choose.
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