Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL CAME AFTER DELPHINE NO LONGER NEEDED ANYTHING FROM HIM
Two years passed.
Delphine became senior investigator at the compliance firm.
Her specialty:
Predatory maritime finance.
Of course.
She testified before a state legislative committee about hidden post-repossession debt.
Rosa watched online and told everyone in the diner:
“She used to clean rich people’s toilets.”
Delphine wanted to die.
Josie thought it was hilarious.
Josie was nine now.
Used sign language fluently.
Spoke some words when she wanted.
Used her implant at school and removed it when she wanted silence.
Choice.
Always.
Odette called her “the boss of her own ears.”
Correct.
Elias had learned enough ASL to argue with her.
Dangerous development.
He still made mistakes.
Once signed:
YOUR HOMEWORK SMELLS LIKE HORSE.
He meant:
YOUR HOMEWORK LOOKS HARD.
Josie never let him forget.
Then Camille returned to New Orleans.
Not for Elias.
For court closure.
Harold’s final appeals had ended.
She opened a small gallery under her mother’s maiden name.
No Hion Ridge money.
She and Delphine occasionally had coffee.
Life is strange.
Then one evening, Elias came to Delphine’s duplex.
No black convoy.
One car.
Victor drove.
Stayed outside.
Elias carried a paper bag.
“Dinner?”
“Takeout?”
“Yes.”
“Suspicious.”
They ate at the kitchen table.
Josie was at Odette’s downstairs.
Then Elias placed a folder on the table.
Delphine stared.
“If that is another trust, I’m leaving.”
“It’s not.”
Business separation documents.
His remaining legitimate companies.
Outside governance.
Personal finances.
Disclosure.
He had spent years untangling.
Not perfect innocence.
But transparent enough for her to make an informed choice.
Then:
“I am not asking you to sign anything.”
“Good.”
“I am asking you to read it.”
She did.
For forty minutes.
Elias waited.
No impatience.
Then she closed it.
“What now?”
He reached into his coat.
Delphine raised a finger.
“If you pull out a contract—”
He pulled out a ring.
Simple.
Not giant.
Not family heirloom.
New.
Then he knelt.
She immediately said:
“Stand up.”
He blinked.
“What?”
“I don’t like people kneeling in my kitchen.”
Victor shouted from outside:
“She has a point.”
Elias glared toward window.
Then stood.
Delphine started laughing.
He held the ring.
“Delphine Aubrey.”
“Yes?”
“You told me once you had eleven minutes before the kitchen closed.”
She covered her face.
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything you say when you’re insulting me.”
“Useful.”
Then:
“I do not need you.”
Her smile faded.
Good start.
“I want you.”
Better.
“I do not want Josie to belong to me.”
Very good.
“I want to belong in a family she chooses to let me join.”
Delphine’s eyes filled.
Then:
“Will you marry me?”
She looked at the man who once failed to recognize her in his own house.
Then at the home she owned.
The career she earned.
The bank account she controlled.
The daughter whose future no longer depended on anyone’s favor.
She could say no.
That was why yes mattered.
“Yes.”
Elias exhaled.
Then Delphine added:
“Prenup.”
Victor laughed outside.
Elias smiled.
May you like
“Already assumed.”
Perfect.
