Chapter 9 - The Choice He Couldn’t Make for HerEleven months after Emma disappeared, Adrian proposed to his wife.
Technically, they were already married.
Emma told him that.
“I’m aware.”
They were standing inside the bakery after closing.
Adrian held no ring.
That surprised her.
“What exactly are you proposing?”
“A new marriage.”
Emma folded her arms.
“We have one.”
“I don’t want that one.”
Her expression changed.
Adrian continued.
“That marriage began with promises I didn’t understand.”
He took their wedding ring from his pocket.
Emma had returned it to him months earlier.
“I promised to protect you.”
“You did.”
“No. I protected my fear of losing you.”
Emma went still.
“I want another chance to promise something better.”
“What?”
“To respect you when I disagree with you.”
Her eyes filled.
“To stay when I’m angry.”
He stepped closer.
“To ask instead of decide.”
Another step.
“To remember that being your husband never makes me your owner.”
Emma wiped a tear angrily.
“You practiced this.”
“For three weeks.”
She laughed through tears.
“I knew it.”
“I had note cards.”
“That ruins it.”
“I can start again.”
“Don’t.”
He smiled.
Then became serious.
“I love you, Emma.”
“I love you too.”
Adrian’s breathing stopped for a second.
She had not said those words since the night at Bellamy House.
Emma touched his face.
“But love isn’t enough.”
“I know.”
“I need partnership.”
“Yes.”
“I need my own life.”
“Yes.”
“I need you to never punish me with abandonment again.”
His eyes darkened with shame.
“Never.”
“And if we fight?”
“We fight.”
“If I tell you you’re being an arrogant ass?”
“I consider the evidence.”
She laughed.
“And if I ask you to leave me alone?”
“I leave you alone.”
“What if you think I’m making a mistake?”
“I tell you.”
“And?”
“And then you decide.”
Emma stared at him.
There it was.
The lesson that had cost them almost everything.
Adrian could advise.
He could disagree.
He could worry.
But he could not live Emma’s life for her.
She took the ring.
“I have a condition.”
“Anything.”
“Dangerous answer.”
He smiled.
“What condition?”
“I’m not moving back into your apartment.”
Adrian blinked.
“You hate my apartment.”
“Exactly.”
“Where are we living?”
Emma pulled a real-estate listing from beneath the counter.
A modest brick house three blocks from the bakery.
Adrian stared.
“It has one garage.”
“You own one car.”
“I have three.”
“You’re selling two.”
“Apparently.”
“And the kitchen needs renovation.”
“How many bedrooms?”
“Four.”
Adrian looked up.
Four.
Emma suddenly became interested in arranging napkins.
His heart began beating faster.
“Why four?”
“Office.”
“That’s one.”
“Guest room.”
“Two.”
“Our room.”
“Three.”
Adrian waited.
Emma looked at him.
“Maybe someday we’ll need the fourth.”
Something vulnerable crossed his face.
Children had once been another subject Adrian controlled.
He had said they should wait.
Then later that they should start trying.
Always his timeline.
Emma noticed his hesitation.
“Someday,” she repeated. “Maybe.”
Adrian nodded.
“When you want.”
“When we want.”
He smiled.
“When we want.”
They bought the house together.
Fifty-fifty.
Emma insisted.
Adrian complained about the mortgage interest rate despite being wealthy enough to purchase the block.
Emma found this hilarious.
They renovated the kitchen.
Adrian discovered he was terrible at painting.
Emma discovered he was surprisingly good at plumbing.
They argued about cabinets.
For forty-five minutes.
At one point Adrian walked outside.
Emma froze.
The old wound opened instantly.
Then the front door opened again.
Adrian returned carrying two coffees.
“I needed five minutes.”
Emma stared.
“I came back.”
She nodded.
“I see that.”
“I will always come back.”
That night they sat on the unfinished kitchen floor eating pizza.
No guards.
No marble.
No mansion.
No staff.
Emma rested her head against Adrian’s shoulder.
“This is weird.”
“What?”
“You.”
“Specific.”
“You’re happy.”
He thought about it.
“I am.”
“You lost half your fortune.”
“More.”
“Your mansion.”
“Yes.”
“Your organization.”
“Good riddance.”
“Your reputation.”
“That one deserved damage.”
Emma lifted her head.
“What did you gain?”
Adrian looked around the half-painted kitchen.
Then at her.
“A life I don’t have to defend from everyone.”
He touched her hand.
“And, somehow, another chance with you.”
Emma smiled.
“Don’t waste it.”
“I won’t.”
Outside, rain began tapping against the windows.
Emma listened.
Almost a year earlier, cold weather and darkness had marked the worst night of their marriage.
Now she realized the memory no longer controlled the future.
Adrian stood.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“I’m driving you home.”
Emma looked around.
“We are home.”
May you like
He smiled.
“Exactly.”
