Chapter 23 - THE QUESTION ABOUT LOVE
One evening, Victor asked Lena to dinner.
No security detail.
No ballroom.
No champagne.
Just a small restaurant overlooking the harbor.
They talked for hours.
Eventually Victor said:
“I owe you my life.”
Lena shook her head.
“You don't owe me anything.”
“I owe you respect.”
“You already gave me that.”
He looked at her.
“Then what can I give you?”
Lena thought.
“Nothing.”
Victor smiled.
“That sounds terrible.”
“It isn't.”
She looked across the table.
“I don't want to be someone's debt.”
Victor became serious.
“Then what do you want?”
Lena smiled.
“Someone who chooses me without owing me.”
The words stayed between them.
Victor reached across the table.
He didn't touch her hand.
He simply left his there.
Lena looked at it.
Then placed her hand beside his.
Not because she had saved him.
Not because he had restored her family.
May you like
Because they had both finally reached a place where neither needed anything from the other.
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