Chapter 9 - The Final VerdictThirty minutes later, local police—summoned by the bakery’s panic button and three terrified townspeople—had the thugs handcuffed in the back of a cruiser.
Richard Vance’s corporate goops were heading to county jail on charges of stalking, attempted kidnapping, and intimidation.
Inside the quiet kitchen of the bakery, Mara sat on a stool while Darren knelt beside her, holding a damp cloth to a small scratch on her forearm.
“You didn't have to hit him with a frying pan,” Darren murmured, a faint, exhausted smile touching his lips.
“He was invading my personal space,” Mara retorted, though the sharp edge was gone from her voice, replaced by a quiet, trembling exhaustion.
“You know,” Darren said softly, looking down at her hand, “those men were right about one thing. Tomorrow is the shareholder vote. Vance thought he could destroy me by exposing my past. But he’s wrong.”
Mara looked down at him. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to resign,” Darren said, and for the first time in twelve years, his voice didn't carry an ounce of hesitation or fear. “I’m stepping down as CEO of Cole Technologies. I’m liquidating my shares, shutting down the New York accounts, and putting every single penny into a blind trust for Nina’s future.”
Mara’s eyes widened. “Darren... that’s your whole life’s work. You’ll lose everything.”
“I already lost everything twelve years ago,” Darren whispered, lifting his eyes to meet hers with absolute, unyielding sincerity. “Today, for the first time in my life, I actually have something worth keeping.”
Mara’s lower lip quivered. She reached out, her fingers gently touching the bruised corner of his jaw where the thug had hit him.
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“You’re an idiot, Darren Cole,” she whispered, a tear slipping down her cheek.
“I know,” he smiled, covering her hand with his own. “But I’m your idiot. If you’ll still have me.”
