Chapter 16
But he nodded.
“Yes.”
“No threats. No interference with my career. No trying to control who I spend time with.”
“Agreed.”
“And you can’t send forty-eight roses every time we have an argument.”
Dominic considered that.
“Would twelve be acceptable?”
Claire burst out laughing.
“Dominic!”
He smiled.
“Six?”
She shook her head.
“You’re hopeless.”
“Apparently.”
But the hand resting beside hers shifted.
And when Claire threaded her fingers through his, he held on gently.
Not possessively.
Not like someone claiming a prize.
Like someone grateful she’d chosen to stay.
Six weeks later, Claire received the official offer.
Senior director of benefits and compliance.
A substantial salary increase.
A larger team.
A direct reporting line to an independently appointed executive.
And a written record confirming that Dominic had taken no part in her selection.
Claire read the letter three times before believing it.
Then she called her mother.
Her mother cried.
Claire cried.
Her father got on the phone and immediately asked whether she’d negotiated enough vacation time.
Ethan bought a cake for the entire department.
Robert Harris stopped by her office carrying a small potted plant.
“For your new desk,” he explained.
Claire smiled.
“You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to.”
He looked at her for a moment.
Then his voice softened.
“When I lost my job, Linda thought we might have to sell the house. I couldn’t sleep. I kept wondering how twenty-three years could disappear in one afternoon.”
Claire’s throat tightened.
Robert continued.
“You didn’t know what that decision was doing to my family. But you cared enough to find out.”
She swallowed.
“I’m glad I did.”
He smiled.
“You’re going to be excellent at this new job.”
Claire hugged him.
And in that moment, the promotion felt worth more than every diamond in Dominic’s velvet box.
Because she’d earned it.
And the people who mattered knew that.
On the evening of her promotion celebration, Dominic took Claire to a quiet restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan.
This time, the reservation was ordinary.
The table wasn’t decorated with roses.
There were no hidden musicians.
No expensive surprises.
Just a handwritten card beside her plate.
Claire opened it.
Congratulations.
You earned every bit of this.
I’m proud of you.
Dominic.
She looked up.
“That’s it?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Should there be more?”
“No.”
She smiled.
“That’s perfect.”
They ate slowly, watching the lights shimmer across the water.
At one point, Dominic reached across the table.