Chapter 9 - The ChoiceThe empire changed after Victor's arrest.
I sold businesses connected to my father's old operations.
Closed accounts.
Cooperated with investigators.
Returned money.
Destroyed records that had been used to threaten innocent people.
People called me foolish.
Others called me weak.
I didn't care.
For the first time, I wasn't building something for fear.
I was building something for my future family.
Vivien recovered.
But our wedding remained canceled.
One evening, she asked me:
“Do you still love me?”
I looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Even after everything?”
“Yes.”
“But you don't trust me.”
“Not yet.”
She nodded.
“That is fair.”
I reached for her hand.
“Trust takes time.”
She smiled.
“I can wait.”
Months passed.
Then one spring morning, I found Emma standing outside my study.
She was four now.
Still barefoot.
Still holding her rabbit.
She raised one finger.
“Shh.”
I laughed.
“What is it?”
She whispered:
“Aunt Vivien is inside.”
I froze.
“Again?”
Emma nodded.
I opened the door.
Vivien stood beside my desk.
She turned.
“Surprise.”
I smiled.
“What are you doing?”
She held out a small box.
“Something I should have done a long time ago.”
I opened it.
Inside was a simple ring.
No diamonds.
No family crest.
No secret meaning.
Just a ring.
She looked at me.
“No lies this time.”
I stared at her.
Then smiled.
“Okay.”
Emma jumped.
“Does that mean wedding?”
I laughed.
“Maybe.”
She cheered.
May you like
And for the first time, the word wedding didn't sound like a threat.
It sounded like a promise.
Related Stories
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(1048x378:1050x380)/Jenna-Bush-Hager-100223-c94955eb572d47ea815a340c18c6e771.jpg)
