Chapter 14: The Choice He Finally Had to Make

The morning after Hollis left my bakery, I received an invitation to the Lombardi estate.

I almost threw it away.

Then I noticed the signature at the bottom.

It wasn't Hollis's.

It was from his grandfather, Matteo Lombardi.

I had met him only twice during the ten years I was with Hollis. Both times, he had treated me with more respect than most members of the family ever had.

I decided to go.

***

The Lombardi estate looked exactly as I remembered it.

Massive iron gates opened onto a long stone driveway lined with old trees. Security guards stood at every entrance, and the house itself looked more like a private fortress than a home.

A staff member led me into the study.

Matteo was sitting beside the fireplace.

He gestured toward the chair across from him.

"Sit, Willa."

I sat down.

He studied me for several seconds.

"You've changed."

I smiled faintly.

"I had to."

His eyes lowered.

"I know."

A long silence followed.

Then he pushed a folder across the desk.

"This belongs to you."

I opened it.

Inside were documents concerning the Lombardi family's original marriage agreement with my family.

I frowned.

"Why are you showing me this?"

"Because there is something you were never told."

I looked up.

"What?"

"Your marriage to Hollis was never supposed to be merely symbolic."

I remained silent.

Matteo continued.

"When Hollis chose you, he wasn't simply choosing a wife. He was transferring a portion of his personal holdings to you as part of the marriage settlement."

I turned another page.

There were figures listed in black ink.

The amount was enormous.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Because Hollis never completed the transfer."

My fingers tightened around the paper.

"He refused?"

"He kept postponing it."

I remembered all those conversations.

Every time I had asked Hollis about the marriage documents, he had told me there was plenty of time.

I had believed him.

Matteo's voice softened.

"After what happened at the wedding, I investigated the matter myself."

"You are legally entitled to the settlement."

I closed the folder.

"I don't want his money."

"It isn't his money anymore."

I looked at him.

"Then what is it?"

"What he promised you."

The words left me strangely unsettled.

For years, I had fought for promises Hollis had made casually and forgotten easily.

Now, when I no longer wanted anything from him, those promises were finally being honored.

"I'll have my attorney review it," I said.

Matteo nodded.

"Good."

Then he added quietly, "There is one more thing."

I waited.

"The family council is meeting tonight."

"Why?"

"Because Gianna's father has requested that she be formally recognized as a future member of the Lombardi household."

I wasn't surprised.

"And what does Hollis think?"

Matteo gave me a tired look.

"That's why I asked you to come."

***

The family council met in the main hall that evening.

I hadn't intended to stay, but Matteo asked me to wait until the discussion ended.

Through the partially open doors, I heard familiar voices.

Gianna was there with her father.

Hollis sat at the head of the table.

Her father spoke first.

"The Rossi family has supported the Lombardis for decades. A formal engagement between Gianna and Hollis would strengthen both families."

Someone agreed.

Another elder mentioned how natural the match would be.

Gianna remained silent, her expression carefully composed.

Then Hollis spoke.

"No."

The room fell silent.

Gianna's face changed.

"Hollis..."

"I said no."

Her father frowned.

"You rejected Willa, and now you're rejecting Gianna? What exactly do you want?"

Hollis's jaw tightened.

"I don't want either marriage arranged by the family."

An elder slammed his hand against the table.

"Then what do you want?"

Hollis didn't answer immediately.

Finally, he said, "I want the right to choose for myself."

I stood outside the door, listening.

It was almost ironic.

For ten years, Hollis had insisted that my place beside him was permanent.

Now that I was gone, he was finally asking for the freedom he had denied me.

Gianna stood abruptly.

"Is this because of Willa?"

Hollis looked at her.

"No."

"Then why won't you marry me?"

His expression softened, but there was no affection in it.

"Because I don't love you."

Gianna's eyes filled with tears.

For once, Hollis didn't rush to comfort her.

He simply looked away.

The meeting ended shortly afterward.

***

When Hollis walked out of the hall, he saw me standing near the staircase.

He stopped.

"You heard everything."

"Enough."

His eyes searched my face.

"What did you think?"

I shrugged.

"Nothing."

He looked almost disappointed.

"You really don't care anymore, do you?"

I met his gaze.

"I care about the person you were."

"But I don't love the person you became."

His face went pale.

I walked past him.

He didn't stop me.

For the first time, he understood that there was nothing left to argue about.

The choice he had finally learned to make for himself had come too late.

I had already made mine.