Chapter 12 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MAN SHE FEARED
Gideon wasn't innocent.
He never pretended to be.
His empire had been built through intimidation, illegal deals, and violence.
For years, he had justified it as survival.
But watching Tessa and Lily struggle to feel safe forced him to confront something he'd avoided.
He had spent his life making other people afraid.
And now he was trying to protect someone from the same kind of fear.
One evening, Tessa asked him a question.
“Do you ever regret it?”
Gideon looked up.
“What?”
“The things you've done.”
He was silent for a long time.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Tessa swallowed.
“Then why didn't you stop?”
He looked toward the window.
“Because I didn't know who I'd be without it.”
She studied him.
“And now?”
Gideon looked at her.
“I don't know.”
His voice softened.
“But I'm trying to find out.”
May you like
Tessa smiled faintly.
“That sounds like a beginning.”
