Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO FINALLY ASKED PERMISSION
Gabriel found Avery in the sewing room at midnight.
She was sitting beside the window, repairing a small piece of lace.
Her hands had healed enough for light work.
But she moved carefully.
He stopped in the doorway.
“May I come in?”
Avery looked up.
The question surprised her.
“Of course.”
He entered.
Then sat across from her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Gabriel looked at the lace.
“Evelyn says you're teaching her.”
Avery smiled.
“She's impatient.”
He laughed softly.
“She's always been impatient.”
Silence.
Then he said:
“Avery, I owe you more than an apology.”
She looked at him.
He continued.
“When we married, I told myself I was protecting you.”
“You were.”
“Partly.”
She waited.
Gabriel looked down.
“I also wanted control of a situation I didn't understand.”
Avery's chest tightened.
He continued.
“I didn't ask what you wanted. Not really.”
She stared.
“Gabriel—”
“I gave you a room. Money. Freedom on paper.”
He looked at her.
“But I never gave you a reason to believe you belonged.”
Tears filled her eyes.
He reached into his jacket.
A folder.
He placed it on the table.
Avery looked at it.
“What is this?”
“An independent review of our marriage agreement and the Hale trust arrangements.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I want you to have advice from someone who doesn't work for my family.”
Avery stared.
Gabriel continued.
“If you decide to leave, I won't interfere. If you decide to stay, I want it to be because you choose to.”
Her eyes filled.
“Why are you doing this?”
He took a breath.
“Because I love you.”
The words hung between them.
Avery froze.
Gabriel looked almost frightened.
“I didn't intend to.”
She laughed through tears.
“That's romantic.”
He smiled faintly.
“I know. Terrible delivery.”
She wiped her cheeks.
He continued.
“I don't expect you to say it back.”
Avery looked down at the lace.
Then whispered:
“I don't know what I feel yet.”
Gabriel nodded.
May you like
“That's all right.”
For the first time since their marriage, Avery believed him.
