Chapter 8 - The Lie Roman Had to Admit
Roman requested a meeting at my attorney's office.
I almost refused.
Then I decided I wanted answers.
He arrived without guards.
His shoulder had healed.
His expression had not.
"I owe you an apology," he said.
"You owe me two years."
He nodded.
"You're right."
I had expected an argument.
His agreement unsettled me.
He placed a folder on the table.
It contained wage records.
Interest calculations.
An independent accounting report.
And a proposed restitution payment.
I didn't touch it.
"This doesn't erase what happened."
"I know."
"You treated me like furniture."
His eyes lowered.
"I did."
"And when I laughed with Finn, you acted like I belonged to you."
Roman took a long breath.
"That was wrong."
The room went quiet.
I waited for an excuse.
None came.
"I was jealous," he said.
"That wasn't love."
"No. It wasn't."
For the first time, I believed he understood.
Not because he said he had changed.
Because he stopped asking me for anything.
I asked my attorney to review the folder.
Roman stood to leave.
"Norah, I won't contact you again unless you want it."
I watched him walk out.
The door closed softly.
May you like
I felt no sudden forgiveness.
Only space to breathe.
