Chapter 9 - WHAT CAME AFTERThree months later, the conspiracy had largely collapsed.
Luca faced charges connected to financial crimes, kidnapping, conspiracy and Matteo’s father’s death.
Bianca cooperated in exchange for consideration at sentencing, revealing much of Luca’s network.
Daniel survived and entered protective custody.
Sophia resumed Sunday breakfast as though kidnapping had merely inconvenienced her schedule.
Emma returned to work.
Mostly.
Matteo still insisted on security.
Emma still objected.
Sophia continued introducing Emma as:
“My future daughter-in-law.”
Which became increasingly awkward because the fake engagement still had three months remaining.
One evening Emma returned to the penthouse after an event.
An envelope waited on the dining table.
Inside was their six-month agreement.
Every page had been torn in half.
Matteo stood near the windows.
“What is this?”
“Your freedom.”
Emma looked at him.
“I already had that.”
“I know.”
He turned.
“That’s why there are no conditions.”
“No money?”
“No.”
“No strategic appearances?”
“No.”
“No security officer pretending to be a ficus?”
Matteo frowned.
“There is no one pretending to be a ficus.”
A large man slowly stepped away from behind a plant.
Emma stared.
The guard quietly left.
Matteo closed his eyes.
“I will address that.”
Emma laughed.
Then his expression became serious.
“No family expectations. No enemies. No arrangement.”
He stepped closer.
“I need an answer that belongs only to you.”
“To what?”
He reached into his pocket.
Emma’s pulse accelerated.
Matteo removed an old brass key.
She recognized it immediately.
“The estate key.”
“The event staff found it after the foundation weekend.”
He placed it in her palm.
“The first time you entered my bedroom, it was an accident.”
“An extremely embarrassing accident.”
“Yes.”
His fingers closed lightly around hers.
“If you enter it again, I want it to be because you chose to.”
Emma smiled.
“Are you asking me to sleep in your bedroom?”
“I am trying to be romantic.”
“You’re terrible at this.”
“Limited experience.”
Then the humor left his face.
“I spent most of my life believing love was leverage.”
Emma became still.
“My father loved my mother. His enemies knew it.”
He looked down at their hands.
“I thought strength meant having nothing anyone could take.”
“And now?”
Matteo looked at her.
“Now I want the terrifying privilege of having someone I can lose.”
Emma touched his cheek.
“Someone.”
His eyes closed briefly.
“Someone.”
Then she kissed him.
No cameras.
No contract.
May you like
No lie.
For the first time since they met, nobody else was deciding what their relationship meant.
