Chapter 18 - The Man Who Chose a Family Over an Empire
Months passed.
Matteo was convicted on financial and conspiracy charges.
Victor accepted a plea agreement.
The Valenti organization changed.
Nico sold businesses he could not make legitimate.
Gabriel complained constantly about paperwork.
Elena returned to nursing.
Noah improved.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Beautifully.
One afternoon, Elena arrived at Nico’s renovated office.
No guards inside.
Sunlight filled the windows.
“You opened the curtains,” she said.
Nico looked around.
“You complained about the darkness.”
“I complain about everything.”
“I noticed.”
She smiled.
Nico approached.
His limp remained slight.
A reminder.
Not a defeat.
“I have something for you.”
He handed her a box.
Elena narrowed her eyes.
“If this contains money—”
“It doesn’t.”
She opened it.
Shoes.
Simple nursing sneakers.
Her size.
She stared.
“You bought me shoes?”
“Your old ones offended me.”
She laughed.
Then cried.
Nico panicked.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because you remembered.”
“Of course I remembered.”
That was when Elena kissed him.
No dramatic music.
No audience.
No grand declaration.
Just two stubborn people standing in sunlight.
When they separated, Nico whispered:
“I love you.”
Elena smiled.
“I know.”
“That’s an irritating answer.”
May you like
“I love you too.”
“Better.”
