Chapter 5 - The New Terms
Elena picked up the divorce papers.
She looked at his signature at the bottom.
It was real.
He was actually letting her go.
She felt a strange mixture of relief and profound sorrow.
“Where are you staying?” she asked.
“In the apartment above the hardware store across the street.”
“You left Chicago?”
“I left the life,” Adrian corrected. “I handed the territory to my underboss. I liquidated my legal assets. I’m done.”
Elena was stunned.
“You walked away from everything?”
“I walked away from the things that didn't matter.”
He looked at her.
“I just want to be a father, Elena. That’s all. I don’t want to be a boss. I don’t want to be feared. I just want to know my child.”
He took a step back toward the door.
“I won’t bother you again today. I just wanted you to have the papers. And I wanted you to know that if you need a ride to the hospital... I’m right across the street.”
He turned the handle.
“Adrian.”
He stopped.
He looked back over his shoulder.
Elena set the divorce papers down.
“I am not moving back to Chicago.”
“I know.”
“I am not living in a penthouse with armed guards.”
“I know.”
“And I am never waiting for you to choose me again.”
Adrian turned fully around.
His eyes met hers.
“You will never have to.”
Elena rested her hand on her stomach.
The baby kicked again.
Stronger this time.
“I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday,” she said quietly. “At 10 a.m.”
Adrian stopped breathing.
“They’re going to do a final ultrasound,” Elena continued. “If you want to see the screen... instead of a photograph.”
Adrian’s chest heaved.
He covered his mouth with his hand, trying to muffle the sob that broke free.
He nodded.
“I’ll be there.”
“Don’t be late.”
“I will be there at 9:30.”
Elena gave a small, weary smile.
“Okay.”
Adrian didn't rush across the room to hug her.
He didn't try to kiss her.
He respected the boundary she had drawn.
He simply nodded, opened the door, and stepped out into the rain.
Elena watched him cross the street through the bookstore window.
She hadn't forgiven him.
Not completely.
And they weren't back together.
But as she looked down at the unsigned divorce papers, she realized something important.
She didn't need to run anymore.
She had taken back her power.
May you like
She had set the terms of her own life.
And for the first time, Adrian Vale was finally following her rules.
