Adeline's throat tightened. For all the nights she'd imagined what each of them would say to her if they ever met again, none of them ended with this. She expected only hatred, not an apology or this quiet surrender.
She knew Evans and Alfonso were deep in their greed and desperation, but Richard… she had always assumed he was simply the quieter snake. She had never realized that perhaps he'd been more reluctant than she thought.
Richard kept his hand there, waiting. Sensing her hesitation, he exhaled. "It's alright if you don't forgive me," he added gently. "I deserve that, too. But I hope you live your best life from now on. I hope…" His voice trailed off as he glanced toward Enzo, who still sat beside her. "I hope you're happy with him."
Enzo raised an eyebrow, his mouth pulling into a skeptical line. He wasn't so easily convinced. Apologies from men like Richard didn't come without layers. Still, he didn't interfere, letting Adeline decide.
