Chapter 12 - Standing Tall Without Apology
Four months later, the early spring breeze off Lake Michigan carried the scent of thawing earth and fresh lake water.
The Goose Island waterfront looked entirely different from the weed-choked industrial wasteland it had been for twenty years.
Yellow bulldozers and cranes stood idle for the weekend around the perimeter of the ten-acre site, framed by clean white security fences.
A massive blue banner stretched across the main entrance gate, its bold white lettering visible from the river tour boats:
THE MARGARET HAYES MARITIME TERMINAL & COMMUNITY ESPLANADE
Below the title, the developer credits were printed in equal, dignified font:
A Joint Venture of Moretti Holdings & The Hayes Trust.
I stood at the edge of the newly completed public pier, watching a pair of mallards drift across the calm river water.
I wore an ivory cashmere wrap over a tailored navy silk dress that flattered my figure without trying to conceal a single inch of it.
My new glasses were delicate gold wire-rims that framed my face, and my hair blew freely in the lake wind.
Footsteps clicked against the cedar decking behind me, familiar, measured, and effortlessly confident.
Gabriel walked up beside me, holding two steaming paper cups of coffee from the Italian bakery on Taylor Street.
He wore a dark charcoal suit with an open-collar white shirt, looking more relaxed than I had ever seen him.
""The city council approved the final environmental permits for Phase Two this morning,"" Gabriel said, handing me a cup.
""Twelve votes to zero.""
""Even Alderman Sterling voted yes?"" I asked with a smile, taking a sip of the rich, dark roast.
""Alderman Sterling announced his retirement from politics three weeks ago,"" Gabriel replied, leaning his forearms against the cedar railing.
""He decided spending more time with his family in Florida was preferable to answering subpoenas from the grand jury.""
""And Daniel?"" I asked, though the name no longer carried the slightest sting in my chest.
""The federal judge accepted his plea agreement yesterday,"" Gabriel said smoothly.
""Six years at Oxford Federal Correctional Institution for wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and tax evasion.""
""His family lost the development firm, the Gold Coast penthouse, and the club memberships.""
Gabriel turned to look at me, the corner of his mouth lifting in that rare, devastating smile of his.
""He will spend the next seventy-two months wearing institutional cotton and cleaning cafeteria trays.""
""There is a certain poetic justice to that,"" I murmured, watching the ripples on the water.
""You could have asked for restitution payments from his personal accounts, Sophie.""
""Dominic told me you waived the civil damages.""
""I didn't want his money,"" I said, shaking my head.
""His money was built on stolen debt and broken promises.""
""The Hayes Trust has thirty-six million dollars in equity and a fifty-year lease with Moretti Maritime.""
""My mother’s name is on that building, her debts are paid in full, and my conscience is completely clean.""
Gabriel turned his body toward me, resting one hip against the railing, his dark eyes studying my face with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.
""You haven't apologized for a single thing in four months,"" he observed quietly.
I met his gaze directly, holding my chin high in the morning light.
""I spent thirty-two years apologizing for taking up space in this world, Gabriel.""
""I apologized when people bumped into me on the train.""
""I apologized when men treated me poorly because I didn't look like a magazine cover.""
""I apologized when Evelyn slapped me across the face and broke my glasses in your foyer.""
I took a step closer to him, the hem of my silk dress brushing against his trousers.
""I am done apologizing.""
Gabriel reached out and brushed a stray lock of auburn hair behind my ear, his thumb lingering against my cheek.
""Good,"" he said, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur.
""Because the woman standing in front of me doesn't need to ask permission from anyone to exist.""
He slid his hand down to rest gently on the curve of my waist, pulling me a fraction of an inch closer against him.
""The board of directors is meeting at the Drake Hotel tonight for the official groundbreaking dinner,"" Gabriel whispered.
""Are you going to attend as my business partner, or as the woman who owns my heart?""
I smiled, feeling the warmth of his hand against my hip, feeling the solid, unyielding strength of a life rebuilt on truth.
""Both, Mr. Moretti,"" I answered softly, leaning into his touch.
""I believe I have enough room for both.""
May you like
The Chicago skyline rose behind us into the pale spring sky, tall, unyielding, and magnificent.
And for the very first time in my life, I knew that I belonged right where I was standing."
