Chapter 9 - I CHOOSE YOUCaprice stood before Diamond.
No maid's uniform.
No fear.
No hesitation.
Only the woman she had become.
"I spent my entire adult life powerless."
Diamond listened.
"People told me what I owed."
She stepped closer.
"Where I had to go."
Another step.
"What I had to endure."
She placed both hands on his shoulders.
"And every time I wanted something, someone told me I wasn't allowed to have it."
Diamond's eyes glistened.
Caprice leaned closer.
"For the first time in my life, I'm exactly where I want to be."
"Caprice—"
"I choose you."
He stared at her.
"The paralysis."
She squeezed his shoulders.
"The danger."
A breath.
"The madness."
Her voice softened.
"All of it."
Diamond swallowed.
"You don't know what you're choosing."
"I do."
"You think you can handle this life?"
"No."
She smiled.
"I think I can handle my life."
That was the difference.
Diamond reached for her waist.
She stepped between his knees.
For years, he had hated anyone touching his wheelchair.
Now he didn't care.
Because Caprice wasn't touching the chair.
She was touching him.
"You are no longer my maid."
He spoke slowly.
"You are my equal."
Caprice smiled.
"Good."
"My partner."
"Better."
Diamond looked into her eyes.
"If you stay, there is no walking away."
His voice was low.
"I will never let you go."
She leaned closer.
"Good."
Then she kissed him.
The world outside continued.
Cars moved beyond the gates.
Guards changed shifts.
Phones rang.
Men plotted.
Territory changed hands.
But inside that room, Diamond Kelly's empire became irrelevant.
He had spent his entire life conquering cities.
Caprice had conquered something much harder.
His loneliness.
Later that night, Diamond found her in the kitchen.
She was making coffee.
He watched her.
"You know what?"
She turned.
"What?"
"You could have had that house."
"I know."
"Money."
"I know."
"New identity."
"I know."
"Safety."
She smiled.
"Diamond."
"What?"
"I didn't choose your empire."
She walked toward him.
"I chose you."
He reached for her hand.
"And if you ever try to send me away again?"
He frowned.
"What?"
"I'll tear up the next folder too."
He laughed.
A real laugh.
Caprice stared.
"There it is."
"What?"
"That smile."
Diamond shook his head.
"You are obsessed with my smile."
"You didn't have one for two years."
"I have one now."
She squeezed his hand.
"Then keep it."
He looked at her.
"I'll try."
Outside the estate, the city remained dangerous.
But for the first time, Diamond wasn't afraid of it.
May you like
Not because danger had disappeared.
Because he was no longer facing it alone.
