Chapter 18 - THE ASHES OF VALE|
The morning of her discharge was cold and clear.
A private sedan waited at the hospital entrance. Elena stepped out of the sliding doors, leaning lightly on her cane, wearing her dark navy coat.
Adrian walked beside her, carrying her small leather suitcase. He was dressed simply in a black coat, devoid of the expensive watches and tailored suits that had once defined his identity.
Officer Miller held the rear passenger door open for her.
Elena paused at the car door, turning to face Adrian.
"Where will you go?" she asked him softly. "The federal government has frozen Vale Meridian's corporate accounts. The estate in Chicago is being sold."
"I bought a small house in Burlington," Adrian revealed quietly. "Ten miles from your sister's farm."
Elena frowned slightly. "Adrian..."
"I won't bother you, Elena," Adrian promised, looking directly into her gray eyes. "I won't call you. I won't stand on your doorstep. I am not going there to force myself back into your life."
"Then why are you going?"
"Because seven years ago, I promised your father under those white roses that I would protect you for the rest of my life," Adrian said, his voice resolute and quiet. "I broke that promise every day for eleven months. I won't break it again. If you ever need a shadow in the dark, I will be there. If you never speak to me again, I will still be there."
May you like
Elena stared at him, her chest heaving slightly. She didn't say yes, and she didn't say no.
She simply stepped into the rear seat of the sedan, pulled the door closed, and watched through the tinted glass as the car pulled away, leaving Adrian standing alone on the cold pavement.
