Chapter 24%
I had no idea how long I’d been out when I groggily opened my eyes. The first thing I saw was the white hospital ceiling. By my bedside, my parents, my brother, and Henrik were all there. When they saw me open my eyes, they immediately gathered around, looking worried.
The doctor checked me over and said I was pretty much recovered.
I blinked a few times, my throat dry and scratchy as I asked, “Where’s Heston? How is he?”
Henrik’s voice was low. “He’s been detained at the police station for attempted kidnapping.”
My parents were beyond worried, doing everything they could to comfort me, afraid this whole thing would leave me traumatized
“Guys, I’m fine. Really.”
I stayed in the hospital for just one more day before going home. Other than the bruises on my neck from being strangled, I didn’t have any other injuries. My parents insisted I take a week off from work to rest, and Henrik, being my boss, signed off on it without hesitation.
And just like that, I got a week of paid leave.
Henrik handed me a neatly peeled apple, cut into small pieces with toothpicks stuck in them.!!
“Heston’s probably looking at five years in jail. If you’d actually been hurt, even a life sentence wouldn’t have been
enough.
“His parents have been trying to talk to you about a settlement, but your mom and dad refused. They’re dead set on making him pay for what he did.
“Oh, and Wendolene? The second she heard Heston was going to jail, she stole all of the Fitzhughs’s money and ran. Found herself a sugar daddy old enough to be her grandfather. They’re all lovey–dovey now.”
I took a bite of the apple. Wendolene running wasn’t surprising–her goal had always been the Fitzhughs’s money “Heston’s mental state seems… off. Could that get his sentence reduced?”
Trust me.”
Henrik didn’t answer my question, just said those two words.
Something in me stirred. I looked up and met his gaze.
I didn’t look away. Neither did he.
Not until his ears turned slightly red and he dropped his gaze first. That’s when I finally looked away, taking my time.!! Mom and Dad weren’t wrong. It really did seem like Henrik felt something different for me.8
Three months later, Heston’s final sentence came in–six years in jail and a hefty fine.
His parents had to sell their villa just to pay it off. Now they were living in a run–down apartment, completely defeated. Thank heavens, they didn’t dare come looking for me again.&
As for Wendolene, she kept switching sugar daddies. And none of them lasted long before she got dumped.
Meanwhile, my career at VerdantCore Technologies was taking off. Injust three months, I’d even taken over one of the branch offices.
Soon, Henrik handed me my official appointment letter. “This was yours to begin with. No one’s taking it from you this
time.”
I smiled. “Wanna grab a coffee after work?“}
“Sure!”
We went to the Blue Bottle Coffee near the company. The place was empty
I ordered two cups of coffee and picked a window seat.
Henrik raised a brow. “My gut’s telling me you have something to say.”
The barista brought over our drinks, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the air.
I stirred mine with a spoon and glanced up at Henrik. “Take a guess.”
But he only shook his head.
I reached behind my chair and pulled out a bouquet.
“Henrik, I. I like you. Will you will you be my boyfriend?”
I knew everything he had done for me since my divorce. His feelings weren’t exactly a secret, but he had been patient- never pushing and never making things harder for me.X
I had finally let go of the past. And I was ready to start something new.
Henrik took the flowers, and he pulled me into a hug.X
“Of course!”
“Oh, boy, you’ve taken 99 steps toward me. I’ll take this last one toward you.
[The End]
