Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO TAUGHT HIM TO LISTEN
Alessia moved into a small apartment near Lake Michigan.
She returned to school.
Began working with a nonprofit.
And slowly rebuilt the life she'd put on hold while searching for answers.
Dante offered to help with tuition.
She refused.
He offered to buy her a car.
She refused again.
Finally, he asked:
"Is there anything you'll let me do?"
Alessia smiled.
"Yes."
He raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Buy me coffee."
They began meeting every Sunday.
At first, they talked about the investigation.
Then about their families.
Then about ordinary things.
Books.
Music.
Childhood memories.
Bad movies.
Favorite meals.
Dante discovered Alessia loved old jazz records.
She hated expensive restaurants.
And she could identify almost any flower by its scent.
Alessia discovered Dante was terrible at cooking.
He liked thunderstorms.
And he secretly kept every letter his mother had ever written him.
One evening, they walked beside the lake.
The water shimmered beneath the city lights.
Dante stopped.
"Alessia."
She turned.
"Yes?"
He swallowed.
"I need to tell you something."
She smiled.
"That sounds serious."
He laughed softly.
"It is."
He looked at her.
"I've spent most of my life surrounded by people who were afraid of me."
She nodded.
"And?"
"You're the first person who never seemed impressed."
Alessia laughed.
"I was terrified of you."
Dante smiled.
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
He looked surprised.
"Then why did you keep arguing with me?"
She shrugged.
"Because you were wrong."
Dante laughed.
A genuine laugh.
The kind he hadn't heard from himself in years.
Then his expression softened.
"I care about you."
Alessia looked down.
"Dante..."
He continued.
"Not because you helped my family."
"Not because you found the truth."
"But because you see me clearly."
He swallowed.
"And you still believe I can become better."
Alessia's eyes filled.
"I care about you too."
Dante smiled.
"Really?"
She laughed.
"Don't make me repeat it."
He stepped closer.
"May I kiss you?"
She looked into his eyes.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
Their first kiss was gentle.
Unhurried.
And entirely different from the world Dante had spent years living in.
May you like
For once, he didn't need control.
He simply needed honesty.
