Chapter 18 - The Beggar's Hope
That evening, I returned home to my estate. The rain had cleared, leaving behind a crisp, starry night.
As I pulled into the driveway, I saw a taxi driving away. Standing on my front porch was Daniel.
He was holding a box of old photographs from our university days and a large bouquet of white lilies—my favorite flowers. He had shaved, combed his hair, and wore the first suit I had ever bought him twenty years ago.
"Claire," he said as I walked up the porch steps. His voice was trembling with manufactured warmth. "I know I don't deserve to step inside... but I wanted to bring these to you."
I stopped at the top of the steps, keeping a firm distance between us. "What is this, Daniel?"
"It's a start," he said, taking a step toward me, tears welling in his eyes. "We proved tonight that Arthur was the real villain all along. He manipulated me, Claire! He took advantage of my stress at work and used Natalie to break us apart because he was terrified of what we could build together! But we beat him. We're a team again."
He held out the flowers, his hands shaking.
"I miss my life, Claire," he sobbed quietly. "I miss my home. I miss you. Please... let me come home. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'll fill your gas tank every single day."
May you like
I looked at the white lilies. I looked at the man who had stood in my kitchen three months ago while his mistress insulted me in my own home.
And then, I laughed. It was a clear, sharp sound that cut through the night air like a razor.
