Chương 9 - THE PROPOSAL DANTE REFUSED TO MAKE
Two years after the divorce, Elena moved back to Chicago.
Not into Dante’s house.
She leased her own apartment near the lake.
Dante hated the rent.
Said it was irrational.
Elena reminded him she paid it.
He suffered.
They dated like people who had never been married.
That turned out to be harder and healthier.
One Friday, Elena found a jewelry box in Dante’s desk.
She stared at it.
Then at him.
“What is that?”
Dante went pale.
The great Dante Moretti.
Terrified of a small box.
“Nothing.”
“That’s obviously a ring.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Eight months.”
Her mouth fell open.
“You’ve had an engagement ring for eight months?”
“Yes.”
“Why haven't you asked?”
He looked genuinely confused.
“Because you never told me you wanted me to.”
Elena stared.
“People typically propose before getting permission.”
“That model did not serve us well last time.”
She started laughing.
Dante did not.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She wiped her eyes.
“Dante, do you want to marry me?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
He looked offended.
“What kind of question—”
“Answer.”
“Enough that looking at that box every morning makes me physically ill.”
Her laughter died.
“Oh.”
He continued.
“But the last time we married, your father had a plan, my family had a plan, Raymond Cole had a plan, and apparently everyone except us believed they knew what the marriage should accomplish.”
Elena’s eyes filled.
“If we do it again, I need the question itself to belong to you.”
She stepped closer.
“What if I want you to ask?”
Dante stopped breathing.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Tonight?”
She smiled.
“No.”
His face fell.
“Why?”
“I want to watch you suffer another week.”
“Elena.”
She kissed him.
“Saturday.”
“What happens Saturday?”
“You’ll figure it out.”
On Saturday morning, Dante took her to the hospital garden where they had first met during the fundraiser.
No photographers.
No families.
No security within sight.
Even Adrian had been exiled half a block away and complained by text.
Dante stood beneath the same stone archway where Elena had once argued with him about restaurant redevelopment.
He took out the ring.
Simple platinum.
Not enormous.
She approved.
Then he surprised her.
He did not kneel immediately.
“Elena.”
“Yes?”
“If you say no, nothing changes tomorrow.”
Her eyes filled.
“You still have your apartment.”
“Yes.”
“Your work.”
“Yes.”
“Your money.”
“Yes.”
“Your mother is still your problem.”
She laughed through tears.
“Unfortunately.”
Dante smiled.
“And I will still love you.”
Then he knelt.
“Will you marry me again?”
Elena looked at the man who once controlled rooms simply by entering them.
The man she had loved enough to lie to.
The man she had feared enough not to trust with the truth.
The man who had signed divorce papers after discovering she loved him because he refused to turn her sacrifice into another cage.
“Yes.”
Dante closed his eyes.
Just for one second.
Then stood.
Elena held out her hand.
“Ring?”
He stared.
“Right.”
She laughed.
“Terrifying mafia boss.”
“Quiet.”
He slid it onto her finger.
May you like
This time, nobody had negotiated anything.
---
