Chapter 16 - Before the Entire City
The Imperial ballroom looked exactly as Serena remembered it.
That surprised her.
Same chandeliers.
Same marble.
Same balcony doors.
Different feeling.
When Serena entered, conversation softened.
People recognized her immediately.
Six weeks of scandal had made both Ducas impossible to ignore.
But there were no three hundred guests tonight.
Only fifty.
Families affected by the old Duca businesses.
Attorneys.
Investigators.
Employees.
A few journalists.
And Roman.
He stood alone near the dance floor.
No security circle.
No glass of scotch.
Dark suit.
White shirt.
No tie.
When he saw Serena, his expression changed in a way the entire room could witness.
He smiled.
Not the small, controlled expression Roman used during negotiations.
A real smile.
Serena walked toward him.
“You invited reporters.”
“Yes.”
“You hate reporters.”
“Yes.”
“You invited people who have publicly criticized you.”
“Yes.”
“You may have a fever.”
Roman smiled again.
“I wanted witnesses.”
“To what?”
He held out his hand.
Serena looked down.
Six weeks earlier, another man had done the same thing in this room.
That moment had cracked their marriage open.
Now Roman waited.
No demand.
No assumption.
Just an offered hand.
“May I?” he asked.
Serena’s throat tightened.
She placed her hand in his.
“You may.”
The orchestra began.
Roman led her onto the dance floor.
Cameras lifted.
He noticed.
Serena felt his body tense automatically.
Old instinct.
Then he looked at her.
And let the tension go.
His hand rested at her waist.
Serena placed hers against his shoulder.
They began to move.
“You’re terrible at this,” she whispered.
“I’ve had limited practice.”
“Whose fault is that?”
“Mine.”
“Good answer.”
They turned slowly.
The room disappeared around them.
After a moment, Serena said, “Why are all these people here?”
Roman’s expression became serious.
“I made an announcement before you arrived.”
“About?”
“The Duca companies.”
She waited.
“I’m creating an independent restitution trust.”
Serena stared.
“Roman.”
“It will review every claim connected to my father’s businesses.”
“That could cost—”
“I know.”
“A lot.”
“I have a lot.”
Despite herself she smiled.
“That is obnoxious.”
“I’m aware.”
Roman continued.
“I’m also releasing the historical records to prosecutors.”
“All of them?”
“All.”
“That could expose you.”
“Yes.”
“Your early involvement.”
“Yes.”
Serena’s steps slowed.
“You’re not afraid?”
“I’m terrified.”
She looked into his eyes.
“But hiding created this,” he said. “I’m done building my life around what fear tells me to conceal.”
Serena felt tears rise.
Roman noticed.
“You’re crying.”
“You’re observant.”
“I have people for that.”
She laughed.
Several guests smiled.
Roman leaned closer.
“I’m sorry.”
She looked at him.
“For what part?”
“All of it.”
“Specificity helps.”
Roman nodded.
“I’m sorry I made you feel like loving me publicly was something shameful.”
Serena swallowed.
“I’m sorry I treated information about your safety as mine to control.”
He guided her through another slow turn.
“I’m sorry I used protection to avoid vulnerability.”
Her eyes filled more.
“And I’m sorry it took another man holding your hand for me to understand how much distance I had created.”
Serena smiled faintly.
“You really hated Julian.”
“I still do.”
“He helped save Adrian.”
“I can dislike useful people.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I’m improving.”
The song neared its end.
Roman stopped dancing.
The room grew quiet.
He did not seem to have planned this part.
Serena could tell.
Roman was rarely nervous.
Now his hand trembled slightly around hers.
“Serena.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t want you to come home because I asked.”
She waited.
“I don’t want you to stay married because we’ve already spent six years doing it.”
Her heart beat faster.
“I want you to choose.”
Roman looked at the crowd.
Then back at her.
“And if you choose a life without me, I’ll respect it.”
Serena’s tears finally fell.
“But if there is still a version of us you believe could be worth rebuilding…”
His voice softened.
“I would like the chance to become your husband again.”
Silence.
Fifty people watched.
Cameras recorded.
Roman Duca had spent most of his life believing exposure created danger.
Now he had made himself emotionally defenseless before the entire city.
Serena looked at the balcony.
The place where he told her never to touch him.
Then she looked at their joined hands.
“Dance with me again.”
Roman blinked.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
A smile slowly appeared.
“That means?”
“It means you don’t get absolution in one ballroom speech.”
“Understood.”
“It means I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“It means therapy continues.”
Roman grimaced.
Serena raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“And it means we rebuild slowly.”
Roman’s eyes shone.
“Together?”
Serena squeezed his hand.
“Together.”
The orchestra began another song.
Roman pulled her gently closer.
For the first time in six years, Serena rested her cheek against her husband’s shoulder in a crowded ballroom.
Roman looked directly at the cameras.
Then kissed the top of her head.
The photograph would appear across the city by morning.
May you like
This time he wanted it to.
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