Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT DANTE CHOSE HIS CHILDREN
Maya was found alive.
Frightened.
But unharmed.
Police arrested Richard after locating him at the rental property.
Victor Hale disappeared before investigators could question him.
I held Maya so tightly she complained.
“Mommy.”
I laughed through tears.
“Sorry, sweetheart.”
She hugged me.
“I knew you'd come.”
I closed my eyes.
Dante stood nearby.
He didn't interrupt.
Didn't claim credit.
Didn't make the moment about himself.
He simply watched us.
Later, when Maya fell asleep, I found him standing on the balcony.
“Dante.”
He turned.
“Clare.”
I approached.
“Thank you.”
He shook his head.
“The police found her.”
“You helped.”
He looked away.
I studied him.
“Are you all right?”
He laughed bitterly.
“No.”
I waited.
He continued.
“I spent six months believing Sofia died because someone wanted to hurt me.”
He swallowed.
“Now I think she died because she discovered what my own family was doing.”
I stepped closer.
Dante looked at me.
May you like
“I don't know how to live with that.”
I whispered, “One day at a time.”
