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“However,” I added, offering her an alternative, “you can stay here for as long as you want.” As the words left my lips, I thought about Riccardo. If she stayed, maybe he would finally man up and tell her how he felt about her. It was clear to everyone else that they were meant to be together; they just needed a little push.
“Thank you, Nicholas,” Sophia said, her gratitude evident in her voice. She had a lot to consider, and I knew it wouldn’t be an easy decision for her to make. But if she chose to stay, I vowed to protect her and look out for her best interests. After all, she deserved a chance at happiness too.
“Nicholas,” Jocelyn began, her voice wavering but laced with determination, “I’ve been thinking, and I... I need to ask you something.” She hesitated, swallowing hard as she gathered her courage. “Can Abby and I return to our home? It’s the only home she’s ever known, and I want to reclaim it – turn it into a sanctuary for us, filled with love.”
Her words struck a chord deep within me, and I knew I couldn’t deny her this. This woman, who had endured so much pain and suffering at the hands of the one man who should have loved her, deserved a chance at happiness. I owed it to her, and to Abby, to give them the support they needed to rebuild their lives.
“Jocelyn,” I said, my voice steady and unwavering, “I assure you, you have my full support. Not only will I ensure your safety, but I will also pay off the mortgage on your house. You deserve to start anew, free from the burdens of the past.”
Her eyes widened in surprise, filling with tears that threatened to spill over. “Thank you, Nicholas,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea how much this means to us.”
As I watched her regain control of her emotions, I marveled at the strength and resilience she displayed. In the face of adversity, she had chosen to rise above and fight for herself and her daughter. It was a testament to her character, and I was proud to stand by her side.
With a nod of gratitude, Jocelyn turned to Sophia, who had been listening intently. Her eyes filled with hope, and it was clear that the prospect of freedom was something she had longed for as well. Together, they stood up, their steps determined yet cautious, as if they were still afraid that this newfound hope could be snatched away at any moment.
“Thank you, Nicholas,” Sophia said softly, her voice trembling slightly. “For everything.”
“Take care of yourselves,” I replied, my voice tinged with sincerity and concern. “And remember, you’re always welcome here.”
As they left my office, their steps imbued with newfound hope and the weight of their own journeys, I was surprised to find I was proud of them. These women, once victims of circumstances beyond their control, were reclaiming their lives. It was a powerful reminder of what I was fighting for – not just to protect my family, but to change the lives of others as well.
The door closed behind them, leaving me alone with Liliana. As I looked at her, I saw her composure crumble, tears streaming down her face as she finally allowed herself to acknowledge that her nightmares of Bianchi kidnapping her again would never come true.
“Is it truly over?” she asked, her voice choked with emotion. “Can I finally breathe without the constant fear of Frankie or Luca haunting me?”
I stepped closer, my hand reaching out to cup her delicate chin, forcing her gaze to lock onto mine. I wanted her to see the absolute certainty that burned within me as I spoke my next words. “Liliana, I promise you, they will never hurt you again. The Bianchis are finished, and their power lies shattered at our feet.”
A sob broke free from her lips, and I pulled her into my arms, the warmth of her body seeping through my clothes as I held her close. She clung to me like a lifeline, fingers digging into the fabric of my shirt. I could feel her heart pounding against my chest, echoing my own thundering pulse.
Her grip on me tightened, as if she were trying to draw strength from my words, from my very soul. In the depths of her eyes, I spotted the flicker of a flame rekindling - that resilient spirit that had first drawn me to her. As we stood there, entwined in each other’s embrace, I knew that our love would fortify us against whatever challenges we’d face in the future.
“Nicholas,” she said, her voice shaking with a mix of relief and newfound courage, “we can finally celebrate our pregnancy without fear. We’re bringing our child into a safer world.”
I nodded, my heart swelling with pride and love for the woman in my arms. She was right - our child would be growing up in a world free from the shadow of the Bianchi family. I could only hope that the scars of the past wouldn’t taint the promise of our future together.
“Yes, cara mia,” I murmured against her hair, pressing a tender kiss to her temple. “Our child will know nothing but safety, love, and the strength of our family.”
Chapter 16
Liliana
The muscles in my neck tensed as I stood in front of Jocelyn’s house, the place where I had once been held captive. It was time to confront the ghosts that haunted me and put it all behind me forever. Sophia, Jocelyn, and Abby accompanied me, their expressions a mix of trepidation and anticipation.
“Are you ready?” I asked Jocelyn, my voice low and steady despite the rapid beating of my heart.
Jocelyn nodded, her eyes darting between me and the house. “I think so,” she said, swallowing hard. Abby clung to her mother’s hand, looking up at the house with wide eyes. I could see the lingering fear in her expression, no doubt remembering the trauma they had experienced within those walls.
Together, we stepped over the threshold and entered the home. The house appeared untouched – no bullet holes or damage from the violent events that had transpired there. Jocelyn’s eyebrows shot up, and she turned to me questioningly.
“Did you...?” she trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
“I took the liberty of hiring a cleaning crew to take care of the worst of the damage,” I explained, offering her a small smile. I wanted Jocelyn and Abby to have a fresh start, free from the constant reminders of their past suffering.
“Thank you, Liliana. I didn’t know how I was going to explain everything to Abby,” Jocelyn said, touched by my gesture. She squeezed Abby’s hand, who smiled nervously and looked around the room with an air of cautious optimism.
As we moved through the house, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. The pain of my kidnapping would always be a part of me, but standing here now, safe, was another step on the path to healing.
“Of course, Jocelyn,” I said warmly, as she started to lead us on a tour of her small home. It was nothing compared to the sprawling Romano estate, but there was a certain charm and warmth that I admired.
