Chapter 6 - The Choice Dominic Never Expected
Two weeks passed.
The Bellhaven transfer was canceled.
Luca and Arthur faced investigations based on the evidence turned over by Dominic’s attorneys and Elena’s statement.
Dominic cooperated.
For the first time in his adult life, he stopped trying to control every outcome.
But there was one outcome he desperately wanted.
Elena to stay.
He simply refused to ask.
One morning, he found her packing.
His heart sank.
“You’re leaving.”
Elena folded a sweater.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow.”
Dominic nodded.
“Where?”
“Boston.”
“Why Boston?”
“There’s an art restoration program there.”
Dominic remembered.
“You wanted to restore paintings.”
“I still do.”
“Good.”
Elena looked at him suspiciously.
“That’s it?”
“What?”
“You’re not going to tell me Boston is dangerous?”
“No.”
“You’re not sending Marco with me?”
“No.”
“Security?”
“Only if you ask.”
She stared at him.
“Who are you?”
Dominic smiled faintly.
“I’m experimenting with personal growth.”
Elena laughed.
A real laugh.
It was the first one he had heard from her since she returned.
Dominic turned toward the door.
“Dom.”
He stopped.
Elena rarely called him that anymore.
“Yes?”
“I’m not leaving because of you.”
He looked back.
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
She walked toward him.
“I need my own life.”
“You should have one.”
“And I’m still angry.”
“You should be.”
“I might be angry for a long time.”
“I’ll still answer the phone.”
Elena swallowed.
“And if I don’t call?”
“I’ll wait.”
“What if I need space?”
“You’ll have it.”
“What if I need you?”
Dominic’s expression softened.
“Then I’ll come.”
Elena stared at him.
“Anywhere?”
“Anywhere.”
She stepped forward and hugged him.
Dominic froze.
For a second, he was nineteen again.
Standing in a cemetery.
Holding an eleven-year-old girl who believed he could protect her from everything.
Then his arms slowly closed around his sister.
Elena whispered:
“You can hug me back, idiot.”
Dominic laughed through tears he didn’t bother hiding.
“I wasn’t sure.”
“I know.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
He held her a little tighter.
Then Elena whispered something he would remember for the rest of his life.
“You found me.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“No.”
His voice broke.
May you like
“You found your way home.”
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