Chapter 6 - The Choice Gabriel Couldn’t Buy
Two months later, Hannah handed Gabriel an envelope.
“What’s this?”
“My resignation.”
Gabriel stared at her.
“No.”
Hannah blinked.
“That isn’t normally how resignations work.”
“Why?”
“I got accepted into school.”
“What school?”
“A pediatric occupational therapy program.”
Gabriel slowly lowered the letter.
“You applied?”
“Before I came here.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t know if I’d get in.”
“When do you leave?”
“Three weeks.”
Gabriel looked toward the playroom.
“What about Claire?”
“She’ll be fine.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Hannah’s expression softened.
“I can’t stay forever.”
Gabriel said nothing.
“You could hire the best therapist in America.”
“I already did.”
She smiled sadly.
“That’s not fair.”
“No.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“It isn’t.”
Hannah looked away.
“Gabriel…”
“Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Pretend this is only about Claire.”
Her eyes returned to his.
Silence.
Gabriel Moretti had negotiated with criminals, politicians, billionaires, and federal prosecutors.
Yet four simple words terrified him.
“I want you here.”
Hannah swallowed.
“You want everything you love where you can protect it.”
“Probably.”
“That isn’t enough.”
“I know.”
That surprised her.
Gabriel continued.
“I could offer you money.”
“I’d refuse.”
“A house.”
“No.”
“Tuition.”
“Gabriel.”
“I know.”
He almost laughed.
“I’m very bad at this.”
“At what?”
“Asking someone to stay when I can’t force the outcome.”
Hannah’s expression softened.
“Then don’t ask me to give up school.”
“I won’t.”
“Don’t ask me to become dependent on you.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t turn me into another person trapped inside your walls because you’re afraid to lose them.”
Gabriel took that in.
Then nodded.
“What if I ask you to go?”
Hannah blinked.
“To school.”
He continued.
“And come back because you want to.”
Her eyes filled.
“You’d really let me leave?”
“I’m beginning to understand that people aren’t loyal because you prevent them from leaving.”
Hannah smiled.
“You’re finally learning.”
A small voice interrupted them.
“Hannah?”
Claire stood in the doorway.
“What’s wrong, moon traveler?”
Claire walked toward her.
Fifteen steps now.
She wrapped her arms around Hannah.
“Sophie said you’re leaving.”
Hannah crouched.
“I’m going to school.”
“Why?”
“To learn how to help other kids walk.”
Claire considered this.
“Like me?”
“Exactly like you.”
Claire hugged her.
“Then you have to go.”
Hannah closed her eyes.
Gabriel looked away.
Claire whispered, “But come back.”
May you like
Hannah looked over her shoulder at Gabriel.
“I will.”
