Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO WALK AGAIN
Everett's recovery continued.
He worked with physical therapists.
Speech therapists.
Occupational therapists.
Every day brought small victories.
Sitting upright.
Standing with assistance.
Taking a step.
Then another.
He hated how slowly everything moved.
He had once controlled rooms with a glance.
Now he struggled to button his own shirt.
Some mornings, frustration overwhelmed him.
One afternoon, he threw a towel across the therapy room.
“I can't do this.”
Willa stood near the doorway.
She didn't rush toward him.
Didn't tell him to be grateful.
Didn't pretend recovery was easy.
She simply waited.
Everett looked at her.
“What?”
She smiled faintly.
“Nothing.”
He sighed.
“You're going to tell me not to give up.”
“No.”
He frowned.
“Then what?”
Willa stepped closer.
“I'm going to tell you that you're allowed to be angry.”
Everett stared.
She continued.
“You lost eight months. You lost control over your body. You were betrayed by people you trusted.”
His eyes filled.
“It's not fair.”
“No,” she said. “It isn't.”
He looked down.
Willa took his hand.
“But you don't have to do it alone.”
Months later, Everett walked across the therapy room without assistance.
Only six steps.
But Willa cried as though he had crossed a finish line.
Daniel laughed.
The therapist applauded.
Everett looked exhausted.
Then smiled.
“Six.”
Willa nodded.
“Six.”
He looked at her.
“Tomorrow, seven.”
Their relationship changed slowly.
The court set aside the coerced marriage arrangement, confirming that the ceremony had not created a valid marriage.
Sterling's control over Everett's affairs ended.
Willa was free.
Everett was free.
For the first time, they could decide what they wanted.
One evening, Everett invited Willa to dinner.
Not at the estate.
Not in a hospital.
At a small Italian restaurant overlooking the river.
He wore a dark suit.
She wore a green dress.
He stood when she arrived.
Willa smiled.
“You look handsome.”
Everett laughed.
“You look nervous.”
She nodded.
“I am.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“Because this is our first real date.”
Everett smiled.
“Then let's make it a good one.”
They talked for hours.
About childhood.
About loss.
About fear.
About the future.
Everett told her he intended to sell the criminal parts of his empire and cooperate with authorities where necessary.
He wanted to build something different.
Something that didn't depend on intimidation.
Willa listened.
Then asked:
“Why?”
Everett looked at her.
“Because I spent eight months unable to speak.”
He paused.
“And when I finally could, I realized I didn't want to spend the rest of my life saying the same things.”
Willa smiled.
May you like
Then reached across the table.
And took his hand.
