MICHAEL

I was signing documents when Levi walked into my office without knocking. Which immediately told me two things:

One: what he brought was important.

Two: what it brought would irritate me before it satisfied me.

He didn't sit down. He simply dropped a brown envelope on my desk as if it were a verdict.

—Here you go —he said.

I looked at him. I didn't touch him. Then I leaned back in my chair and exhaled slowly, like a man who already knows the outcome but still needs to hear the sentence read aloud.

"The divorce certificate," Levi added.

I smiled with satisfaction. I had left the country to give Aliana a break and to help her divorce that weasel.

"You're welcome," he said curtly.

I took the envelope then, opened it, and glanced at the first page, even though I had memorized every step of the process weeks before. Aliana was free. Levi watched me like a scientist seeing a long-term experiment finally yield results.

—You asked for a lot of favors—he said. —Judges, secretaries... shortcuts in mediation that definitely weren't shortcuts.

I shrugged. "I needed quick results."

"You demolished a marriage," he corrected.

"One dead," I replied calmly.

He crossed his arms. "Was it worth it?"

I didn't hesitate for a second. —Yes.

That surprised him. Levi raised an eyebrow. "You didn't even think about it."

"There was nothing to think about," I said. "She was trapped. I removed the cage."

He studied my face, searching for any doubt. There was none.

“You know,” he said slowly, “for a man who once thought emotional attachment was a disease, you seem quite comfortable rewiring the legal system for a woman you just rescued from a marriage trap. Do you really think she’ll rush to marry you after her bitter experience with him?”

I gave a mocking smile. "I'll take my time with her."

He snorted. "You're obsessed."

"I am devout," I corrected.

Levi shook his head. "You're lost."

-Completely.

He sighed, finally sitting down. "Just don't pretend this is altruism. You wanted her free because you love her."

I nodded. —Both things could be true.

He stood up again. "I'll leave you to your triumph."

When the door closed, I looked at the certificate again.

*Aliana Hamilton.*

Not yet. But soon.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number I already knew by heart.

"Dr. Sarah," she replied. "Tell me you're not calling to ask something ridiculous."

—I'm calling to ask something ridiculous.

She laughed. —Of course.

"It's been two weeks," I said. "Is she well enough for me to come home?"

There was a pause. Then: —Michael.

-Yeah?

—You're exhausting.

I smiled. —Answer the question.

"She's recovering well," Sarah said. "Physically, she's perfect. Emotionally? That's your department."

"I'll manage," I replied.

"You're sure you think you'll do it," she said curtly. "Besides, your mother went to see her."

I blinked. "Did he do it?"

—Yes —Sarah continued—. She was... generous.

Me reí entre dientes. —Suena propio de mi madre. Probablemente ya esté eligiendo nombres para los nietos y diciéndole a sus amigas que su hijo no es gay.

—Y —añadió ella—, Vanessa intentó causar problemas.

Esta vez me reí a carcajadas. —Por supuesto que lo hizo.

—¿No te preocupa? —preguntó Sarah.

—En lo más mínimo —dije—. Aliana es capaz de manejarlas a todas.

Ella hizo un sonido pensativo. —Pareces muy seguro.

—Lo estoy —respondí.

Cuando colgué, me recliné y miré al techo. Dos semanas. Dos semanas desde que decidí darle espacio para sanar. Dos semanas en las que se había mantenido alejada, no porque no le importara, sino porque se estaba reconstruyendo. ¿Y ahora? Ahora era libre. Sonreí para mis adentros. Valió cada favor. Valió cada riesgo. Valió todo. Porque amarla ya no era una pregunta. Era una decisión que ya había tomado.

La casa estaba en silencio cuando llegué. Una empleada tomó mis cosas mientras yo caminaba en silencio, esperando sorprender a Aliana. Las luces estaban encendidas en la sala; entré con cuidado, aflojando mi chaqueta con la intención de anunciarme, pero entonces escuché a Aliana hablando con Jenna.

—Conocí a Dominic cuando era joven —estaba diciendo. Jenna murmuró algo que no pude oír, pero ella continuó—: Él era... atento. Flores, llamadas y regalos. Me hacía sentir muy especial.

Mi mandíbula se tensó.

—Me hizo creer que su amor nunca terminaría —dijo en voz baja—. Constante y grandioso.

Me apoyé contra la pared, sin ser visto, con el corazón ralentizándose, escuchando.

—Me decía que yo era especial. Que era diferente. Que me protegería de tener que trabajar demasiado, pensar demasiado, luchar demasiado.

Hubo una pausa. Pude escuchar el leve tintineo de un cristal. Agua, tal vez. O vino.

—Pensé que eso era el amor —dijo ella—. Que te cuiden y poder reclinarte.

Jenna debió responder algo, porque Aliana soltó una risa sin humor.

—Él me amaba... o al menos, eso es lo que yo pensaba.

Se me cerró la garganta.

—Después de la boda, todo cambió —continuó—. Lentamente, como algo que muere sin que nadie se dé cuenta.

Cerré los ojos.

—Dejó de tocarme —dijo, con voz firme pero débil—. Dejó de mirarme como si yo importara. Desfilaba mujeres frente a mí como trofeos. Y de alguna manera me hacía sentir que era mi culpa.

Mis manos se cerraron en puños.

—Hundí el negocio de mis padres intentando ayudarlo —continuó—. Puse todo lo que tenía para hacer su mundo más fácil. Y cuando no me quedó nada, se aseguró de que yo supiera que era reemplazable.

Jenna dijo algo afilado entonces. Protectora.

Aliana se rió suavemente. —Lo sé. Sé que fue horrible.

Hubo otra pausa.

—Y por eso... a veces... dudo con Michael —admitió.

Mi corazón dio un vuelco.

—Porque cuando alguien es así de amable pero a la vez tan absorbente, paciente sin exigir, presente sin intentar poseerte... se siente como una trampa.

Se me cortó la respiración.

—No sé cómo confiar en algo que todavía no duele —susurró—. Tengo miedo de despertarme un día y darme cuenta de que también imaginé todo esto.

A silence followed. I'd heard enough. I cleared my throat. Just enough for her to know she wasn't alone. There was a sudden movement, hurried footsteps, and then she was there, standing in the hallway, her eyes wide before they softened instantly.

—Michael —she whispered.

And then he ran towards me. He put his arms around me. "You're back," he said, his voice muffled against my chest.

I held her like someone holding something precious, fragile and strong, all at the same time.

"I'm back," I said softly.

Jenna appeared behind her, arms crossed and with a sharp gaze.

"You heard," he said sharply.

"I did it," I admitted.

Aliana tensed up. Then she slowly stepped back, searching my face with her eyes, bracing herself for a judgment I had no intention of making.

"I'm sorry," she said immediately. "I didn't mean to say—"

"Don't do it," I interrupted gently.

She stopped. I cupped her face in my hands, brushing my thumbs against her cheeks.

—You don't owe me silence or any explanation, but I want you to know that I love you and that I've brought gifts.

Her eyes sparkled. "What is it?" she whispered.

I showed her the divorce certificate. —You're officially divorced from Dominic.

She rested her forehead against mine, breathing in my scent as if she needed proof I was real. Jenna cleared her throat then. "I don't know how you managed that, but thanks. I'll come back for my things later. Bye, guys." She left with her bag in her hand.

“I don’t want to possess you,” I continued gently. “I don’t want to diminish you. Or fix you. Or replace parts of you that were damaged.” I kissed her hair. Once. Reverently. “I just want to be here,” I said. “Consistently. Honestly. Even when you’re afraid.”

Aliana laughed weakly and looked at me again. "Aren't you angry?"

"No," I said sincerely. "I'm grateful."

-Because?

—For having found you.

She swallowed. "I'm trying, Michael."

"I know you do," I replied. "We'll do it slowly. Together."

She nodded. I hugged her even tighter. "I'm not going anywhere, darling."