Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO LIVE WITH REGRET
Beckett Shaw never remarried.
He withdrew from the criminal organization.
He sold several businesses.
He cooperated with ongoing investigations.
He accepted legal consequences where his own actions required them.
His life became smaller.
Quieter.
And far less powerful.
One evening, he drove to the roadside bar where he had first met Laurel.
The building had changed owners.
The old neon sign was gone.
But the counter remained.
Beckett sat on the same stool.
He ordered a drink.
Then remembered the joke they had shared.
The first drink should be strong enough to make bad decisions look reasonable.
He smiled sadly.
Then pushed the glass away.
He thought about the anniversary party.
The slap.
The look in Laurel's eyes.
He had spent years telling himself that he was protecting his family.
But protection without respect had become control.
And control had destroyed the only marriage he had ever wanted.
He took out his phone.
For a moment, he considered calling her.
Then he put it away.
May you like
Laurel had made her choice.
And respecting it was the only apology he could still offer.
