Chapter 6
Victor was arrested.
The organization survived.
And for the first time, Callum realized something important.
He had not become weaker without Rosalie.
He had become stronger because losing her forced him to become someone worthy of her.
***
One year after she left, Rosalie received an invitation.
Not to the Moretti mansion.
Not to a private dinner.
A charity event.
She almost ignored it.
Then she saw the name.
Callum Moretti.
The invitation was simple.
No pressure.
No expectations.
Just:
I hope you attend.
She stared at it for a long time.
Then she went.
***
The ballroom was filled with people who had known them as a couple.
People who remembered Rosalie standing beside Callum.
People who had assumed she would always be there.
When she entered, conversations slowed.
Not because she was Callum’s wife.
Because she was Rosalie Rourke.
The woman who left.
Callum saw her from across the room.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then he walked toward her.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like approaching something precious.
“Thank you for coming.”
“You’re welcome.”
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
A year ago, he would have filled the silence.
Now he allowed it.
“How are you?”
Rosalie smiled faintly.
“Better.”
The honesty hurt.
But he accepted it.
“Good.”
They stood there.
Two people who loved each other.
Two people who had broken.
Two people who had changed.
Then Callum said:
“I don’t expect you to forgive me tonight.”
Rosalie looked at him.
“I know.”
“I don’t expect you to come home.”
She said nothing.
“I don’t even know if I deserve another chance.”
The music continued around them.
“But I know this.”
He looked directly at her.
“If I ever get another chance, I will never again mistake your love for something I own.”
Rosalie felt tears threaten.
She hated that.
Because part of her still loved him.
The other part remembered leaving.
“I was so angry at you.”
“I know.”
“I hated that I still loved you.”
His expression changed.
“Rosalie.”
“No.”
She took a breath.
“I need you to hear this.”
He nodded.
“I don’t want the old marriage back.”
His face fell slightly.
She continued.
“If there is ever a future for us, it has to be something new.”
Callum looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
“It means you don’t get your wife back.”
A pause.
“You get to know me again.”
For a moment, he simply stared.