Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO MARRIED THE WRONG ENEMY
Diego spent the night alone in his study.
The financial records lay across his desk.
For nine years, he'd believed Arthur Martin had ordered Emilio's murder.
He had built an empire around that belief.
He had fought a war.
Destroyed businesses.
Lost men.
And finally married Navy Martin as revenge.
Now the evidence suggested Thomas had authorized the payment connected to Emilio's death.
Arthur had built the system.
Thomas had helped preserve it.
And Navy had spent years trying to expose it.
Diego stared at the wedding photograph.
Navy stood beside him in white.
Her smile was perfect.
Her eyes were empty.
He remembered the words he'd whispered at the altar.
A brand.
Mine.
His stomach turned.
At dawn, he found Navy in the library.
She was reading beside the window.
He stopped.
"Navy."
She looked up.
"Yes?"
He took a breath.
"I owe you an apology."
She closed the book.
"Another one?"
He accepted the remark.
"Yes."
She waited.
Diego looked at her.
"I married you to punish your family."
"I know."
"I believed you were part of what they represented."
"I know."
He swallowed.
"I was wrong."
Navy studied him.
Then said:
"Yes."
He looked down.
"I don't expect forgiveness."
"Good."
A long silence followed.
Then Diego said:
"I'll support whatever legal steps you choose to take."
Navy raised an eyebrow.
"Even if they expose your own crimes?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
She studied him.
"Why?"
Diego looked toward the ocean.
"Because I spent nine years confusing revenge with justice."
He turned back.
"And because you deserved better than what I did to you."
Navy said nothing.
Then she stood.
"I want my own attorney."
"Of course."
"I want access to the evidence."
"Yes."
"And I want the freedom to leave this marriage."
Diego's expression changed.
But he nodded.
"You have it."
Navy looked at him for a long moment.
May you like
Then whispered:
"That's the first decent thing you've done for me."
