33. Piper

Two weeks after Gabriel's death, I move through Elysse's room at our old home, gathering her favorite toys, books, and clothes. My mind wanders as I pack, the events of the past few weeks still raw and surreal. It's hard to believe that Gabriel is gone, just as it's amazing that Elio came back into my life and we're finally getting the chance at the future he promised me so long ago.

My gaze drifts to the window, taking in the well-manicured lawn and the grand exterior of the house I once shared with Gabriel. It's a beautiful home, but it holds so many painful memories. The bruises may have faded, but the emotional scars remain.

As I tape up another box, I wonder what I should do with this place and all of Gabriel's assets he's left me. I've arranged to have most of his things shipped to his parents in New York. They didn't seem shocked to hear about his demise. It makes me wonder if he'd been mercurial and volatile as a child. How had he hidden it from me until after we married? Why hadn't they warned me?

As far as the house and his other assets, a part of me wants to sell everything, to rid myself of any reminder of the man who made my life a living hell. But another part of me hesitates, knowing that the money from the sale could provide a solid foundation for Elysse's future.

Elio has assured me that money isn't an issue. Considering the house he lives in, I'm sure he's telling the truth. But I have some reservations about being completely dependent on him. It has nothing to do with not trusting him. I need the security of knowing I can take care of myself.

I sigh, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The decision about Gabriel's home and assets is a decision I'll have to make soon, but for now, my focus is on getting Elysse settled into our new life with Elio. I want her to feel safe, loved, and cherished—everything I never had with Gabriel.

As I carry the boxes downstairs, I can still feel remnants of the negative energy. I can't wait to be rid of this chapter in my life. It makes me realize that the answer I see is clear. Selling the house is the fastest way to end the past and focus on the future. I'll put a portion of the money into a trust fund for Elysse's education, a nest egg that will grow over the years until she's ready to pursue her dreams.

But the rest? I'll donate it to domestic violence charities, to organizations that help women and children escape the same hell I endured for so long. It's a way to turn my pain into something positive, something that could change lives.

I'm about to head out when I decide to go to my bedroom, the one I'd shared with Gabriel. There's nothing there for me but bad memories. Well, not all bad. Elio made love to me here. I open the jewelry box on my dresser. I dig down to a hidden compartment and pull out the only item I want to take with me, leaving behind my engagement and wedding rings from Gabriel.

I return downstairs, carrying the last boxes to the car Elio provided for me. I get into the passenger seat, thinking about the last time I drove. Admittedly, it had been some time. Gabriel had slowly made my world so small, and I hadn't realized it was happening until it was too late.

But now my world is opening up. I'm free. Free to build a new life with Elio and Elysse, free to heal and grow and love without fear. I drive to his home and am met by a few of his men who help me carry the boxes to Elysse's room. I leave them there thinking she and I can deal with them together when she's home from school and her dance class.

I move back down to the sitting room, opening up the computer to work on my homework for the creative writing class. I love it. The creativity, the connection to my professor and other writers even though it's only online. For the first time in years, I feel like I'm finally finding my footing.

I pull out my notebook, flipping through the pages filled with scribbled notes and half-formed story ideas. There's something magical about the process of creation, of taking a spark of inspiration and nurturing it into a living, breathing story.

Later that evening, Elio comes home, spinning Elysse around and giving me a big kiss as he does every evening.

"Dress up, ladies. We're going to dinner."

"Yay!" Elysse jumps up and down, then zooms up to her room to change.

"What's all this about?" I ask.

"I haven't taken my ladies on a real date yet. We're going to your favorite place. It's not easy to get reservations there, but I have an in with the owner." He winks at me.

I change into a nice dress and help Elysse with hers. Elio beams at us when he sees us descend the stairs. "I'll be the envy of every man tonight."

It's silly, but I love how romantic he is. I'd nearly forgotten that part of him.

We're led to a private table in the back, candles flickering on the white linen tablecloth. Elio pulls out my chair, his hand brushing against the small of my back as he helps me sit.

"Help me, Daddy."

"Of course." He pulls out her chair and scoots her in. "I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of ordering for us."

"Is it spaghetti? 'Cause I like spaghetti."

"Yes. Plus a few other items I know your mother will enjoy." He sits down, reaching his hands out so he's able to hold mine and Elysse's hands. "I love you both."

"I love you too, Daddy."

I smile. "I love you too."

Wine is served, as is our dinner. It's even more delicious than I remembered from when I was in high school.

When we finish and our dishes are taken away, Elio sips his wine and clears his throat.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yes… well… a little nervous, maybe."

"Why?" Elysse asks.

He leans close to her like he wants to tell her a secret. "Well, I'm about to ask your mom to marry me."

Her eyes widen, as do mine.

"Yes, ask her. You'll say yes, right, Mommy?"

I lean to her, my gaze on Elio's. "Yes."

His grin is a mile wide as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opens it, revealing a stunning diamond ring.

"I've known since the first day I saw you in the hall at school that you were the one for me. I love you so fuc—ah." He glances at Elysse. "So very much. Will you marry me?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

He slips the ring onto my finger, and I marvel at the way it looks, like it was always meant to be there. Elysse squeals with delight, clapping her hands together.

"I have something for you too, sweetie," Elio says, reaching into his pocket once more. He pulls out another box, opening it to show a delicate gold necklace, a tiny lion pendant. "This is for you, my brave little lion, to remind you of how strong and courageous you are."

Elysse's eyes widen as he fastens the necklace around her neck, her fingers tracing the intricate details of the pendant. "Thank you, Daddy." She throws her arms around his neck.

He sits back and wipes his brow. "Whew. That went well."

I laugh. "Did you think it wouldn't?"

"I wasn't sure if it was too much, too soon."

"Elio." I arch a brow. "It's been eight years. I think it's about time."

He lets out a lovely laugh. "You're right."

Later that night, we put Elysse to bed and return to our room.

"I finished at the house today," I say, going to my dresser to retrieve the item I'd pulled from my jewelry box.

"Did you decide what you wanted to do?" He begins to undress from his suit and put on lounge pants.

"I'm going to sell it and everything left inside it. I'd like to put some of the proceeds into a trust for Elysse. Everything else, including his financial assets, I want to donate to domestic violence organizations."

He looks at me with awe in his eyes.

"Why does it seem like you're shocked?"

"I'm impressed," he says, echoing the words I'd said to him before.

"I found something today. It's the only thing I'm taking for me."

"Oh?"

I sit down on the edge of the bed, patting the space beside me. Elio joins me, his brow furrowed with curiosity.

I hold up the item.

It takes a moment, but then his gaze jerks to mine. It's filled with surprise, but more than that, so much emotion.

"I gave you that eight years ago."

"You made me a promise with this ring. And finally, you get to fulfill it."

"You kept it," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. "All these years, you kept it."

"I couldn't bear to let it go," I confess. "Even when I thought you didn't want me, even when I thought you'd abandoned us. Perhaps deep down, I knew the truth but hid it away like I'd hidden so much of myself away."

Elio takes the ring from my hand, turning it over in his fingers. I can see the emotions playing across his face, the love, the regret, the hope for the future.

"I never stopped loving you," he says softly, his eyes meeting mine. "Not for a single moment. And I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never doubt that again."

He slips the ring onto my finger, next to the engagement ring. We've come full circle, like a piece of my heart that's been missing has finally been returned.

I lean in, capturing his lips in a soft, sweet kiss.

"Finally, the dream is coming true," he murmurs.

I tug him with me as I lie back on the bed. "It's about damn time."