Chapter 10 - THE DOOR SHE REFUSED TO OPEN AGAIN
Celia's heart hammered.
Travis stood between her and the stairwell.
His blond hair was uncombed.
His shirt was wrinkled.
He looked exhausted.
But his smile was familiar.
The same smile he used after every argument.
The one that said everything would be fine if she stopped making trouble.
“Celia,” he said softly. “We need to talk.”
She stepped backward.
“No.”
His smile faded.
“Don't start.”
She kept her voice steady.
“You need to leave.”
“I came all this way.”
“I didn't ask you to.”
His jaw tightened.
“You've been talking to Lorenzo.”
Celia said nothing.
Travis stepped closer.
“He's using you.”
She moved toward the neighboring apartment.
“Stay back.”
He laughed bitterly.
“You think he's different from me?”
Celia looked at him.
“Yes.”
The answer seemed to shock him.
Then anger moved across his face.
“You don't know him.”
“I know enough.”
Travis reached toward her.
Celia moved away.
Then shouted:
“Help! Call the police!”
A door opened.
A neighbor appeared.
Travis froze.
Celia backed toward the stairs.
The neighbor held up a phone.
“Police are coming.”
Travis looked from one woman to the other.
Then turned and ran.
***
Celia called Evelyn.
Then Lorenzo.
He answered immediately.
“Celia?”
She took a breath.
“Travis was here.”
His voice changed.
“Are you safe?”
“Yes. A neighbor helped. Police are on the way.”
“Good.”
She heard movement.
“I'm coming.”
Celia swallowed.
“Okay.”
Then she added:
“Lorenzo?”
“Yes?”
“Please don't do anything reckless.”
Silence.
Then:
“I won't.”
***
When Lorenzo arrived, Celia was sitting on the stairs with a police officer.
He stopped several feet away.
She looked up.
For a moment, she wanted to run into his arms.
Instead, she finished her statement.
Then stood.
Lorenzo waited.
When she approached, he asked:
“Can I hug you?”
Celia nodded.
He held her gently.
She pressed her face against his chest.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she whispered:
“I was so scared.”
Lorenzo closed his eyes.
“I know.”
She shook her head.
“No. I mean I was scared I'd become the person I used to be.”
He stepped back.
“What do you mean?”
“The person who apologized. Who listened. Who believed him when he said everything was my fault.”
Lorenzo looked at her.
“And?”
Celia swallowed.
“I didn't.”
His expression softened.
“No.”
She smiled through tears.
“I told him to leave.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Good.”
***
Travis was arrested two days later.
Investigators located him at a motel outside the city.
He faced charges related to violating the protective order and other alleged offenses.
Celia listened to the news.
Then sat quietly.
For months, she'd imagined relief arriving like a door opening.
Instead, it came slowly.
A little less fear.
A little more sleep.
A morning when she didn't check the street before making coffee.
She realized healing wasn't a single moment.
It was a series of ordinary days that gradually became hers again.
***
Meanwhile, the financial investigation expanded.
Graham Hail was indicted.
Several Northstar executives were charged.
Matteo cooperated with investigators.
Lorenzo's companies faced scrutiny.
He provided records.
Accepted independent audits.
And began dismantling the parts of his organization connected to criminal activity.
Celia watched from a distance.
She cared about him.
But she refused to become responsible for his choices.
That was his work.
Not hers.
***
One evening, Lorenzo asked to see her.
They met at the café near the river.
He looked tired.
Celia sat opposite him.
“Long day?”
“Very.”
She smiled.
“Want to tell me?”
He nodded.
Then explained.
The investigations.
The companies.
The decisions.
The costs.
When he finished, Celia asked:
“Do you regret cooperating?”
Lorenzo considered.
“I regret waiting so long.”
She nodded.
“That's different.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“I don't know what my life will look like afterward.”
Celia smiled faintly.
“Neither do I.”
Silence.
Then Lorenzo reached across the table.
“Maybe we can find out.”
Celia looked at his hand.
May you like
Then took it.
“Maybe.”
