Chapter 16 - The Night the Truth Came Out
Dominic told Beatrice everything.
Not every crime.
Not every secret.
But enough.
He told her about Sofia.
About grief.
About raising Leo while believing affection created vulnerabilities.
About Victor.
About the guilt he carried for doubting her.
Beatrice listened.
Then she told him her truths.
Years of comments.
Dates where men treated her body as either a joke or a novelty.
Women who offered unsolicited advice disguised as concern.
The reason she hid beneath cardigans.
The reason she only danced when she believed nobody could see.
Dominic listened without interrupting.
Finally he said:
“I saw you.”
Beatrice smiled sadly.
“I know.”
“No. That’s not what I mean.”
He moved closer.
“I saw you before I knew how to admit I was looking.”
Her eyes filled.
“You’re terrible at romance.”
“I’ve been told worse.”
She laughed.
Dominic touched her face.
“I love you.”
The words frightened him more than bullets ever had.
Beatrice could see it.
She did not answer immediately.
Dominic waited.
Then she whispered:
“I love you too.”
Outside, rain began striking the windows.
The same sound as the night she danced.
Dominic smiled.
“Music?”
Beatrice shook her head.
“Absolutely not.”
“Coward.”
She stared.
“Did Dominic Russo just call me a coward?”
He turned on the kitchen speaker.
Beatrice laughed.
May you like
Then she took his hand.
And this time, when she danced, she knew he was watching.
