Chapter 6 - ROMAN'S MOTHER HAD HER OWN SECRETRoman refused to believe it.
Claire understood.
She had watched him accept betrayal from a cousin.
An ex-fiancée.
People connected to his sister's death.
But his mother?
That was different.
Margaret came voluntarily.
She sat in Roman's study while investigators asked questions.
“Did you have access to Victoria's coat?”
“Yes.”
“Her car?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She left belongings at my house after Sunday dinner.”
“Did you set fire to Claire Bennett's bakery?”
Margaret looked horrified.
“No.”
Roman watched silently.
Then Margaret did something unexpected.
She asked everyone except Roman and Claire to leave.
When the door closed, she said:
“I know who did.”
Roman's expression hardened.
“Who?”
Margaret looked toward Claire.
“My husband.”
Roman went still.
Claire knew Roman's father, Dominic Duke, had supposedly died twelve years earlier.
“Your husband is dead,” Claire said.
Margaret looked at her.
“No.”
Roman stood.
“What?”
“He's alive.”
Silence.
Margaret began crying.
Dominic had disappeared after federal pressure intensified around the old Duke organization.
The family announced his death to enemies.
In reality, he entered a private protection arrangement overseas.
Only Margaret and Michael knew.
Roman's face became terrifying.
“You let me bury an empty coffin?”
“I was protecting you.”
Roman laughed bitterly.
“Apparently that's our family's favorite excuse.”
Dominic had returned secretly after Elena died.
He believed Roman's attempts to legitimize Duke businesses had weakened the family.
When Claire entered Roman's life, Dominic saw another threat.
Not because Claire was dangerous.
Because she made Roman softer.
Human.
Independent of the old family system.
“He burned my bakery because Roman likes me?”
Claire asked.
Margaret lowered her head.
“He wanted you frightened away.”
Roman walked toward the door.
Claire grabbed his wrist.
“Where are you going?”
“To find him.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“Look at me.”
He did.
“You go angry, he wins.”
“He attacked you.”
“And I am standing here.”
“He could have killed you.”
“But he didn't.”
Roman's breathing was heavy.
Claire held his gaze.
“You told Lily she shouldn't face painful truth alone.”
He stopped.
“So don't.”
Roman looked at her hand on his wrist.
Then slowly relaxed.
Federal agents found Dominic two days later.
He was arrested.
Roman didn't visit.
Not immediately.
Instead, he went to therapy with Lily.
Claire learned about it only because Lily told her.
“Roman hates therapy.”
“Most emotionally constipated men do.”
Lily laughed.
“He said you're not allowed to call him that.”
“He's not here.”
Roman was behind Claire.
“I am now.”
Claire jumped.
Lily laughed harder.
Slowly, life repaired itself.
The bakery reopened.
Customers packed the sidewalk.
Roman arrived first.
He carried flowers.
Claire frowned.
“Those are suspiciously romantic.”
“They're from Lily.”
Lily appeared behind him.
“No, they're not.”
Roman looked betrayed.
Claire laughed.
Then Susan arrived.
Then Margaret.
Margaret stopped several feet from Claire.
“I owe you an apology.”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
Margaret seemed surprised.
“I expected you to say I didn't.”
“You allowed dangerous secrets to survive because confronting them was uncomfortable.”
Margaret looked down.
Claire softened.
“But you're confronting them now.”
Margaret looked up.
“Can I come inside?”
Claire considered.
Then opened the door wider.
“Yes.”
That was how healing began.
Not with pretending nothing happened.
With accountability.
And permission.
That evening, after everyone left, Roman remained.
Claire locked the door.
“You're still here.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He reached into his jacket.
Claire immediately pointed.
“If that's a fake girlfriend contract, I'm calling police.”
Roman smiled.
Then placed something on the counter.
A key.
Claire stared.
“What is this?”
“My house.”
“No.”
“You haven't heard—”
“No.”
“Claire.”
She laughed.
“I'm joking.”
Roman looked genuinely annoyed.
“What does the key mean?”
He hesitated.
For once, Roman Duke looked nervous.
“It means I want you there.”
Claire's heart tightened.
“Living there?”
“Eventually.”
“Roman.”
“I'm not asking you to move tomorrow.”
“Good.”
“I'm asking whether you want a place in my life that isn't temporary.”
Claire stared at the key.
Then at him.
“You could just ask me to be your girlfriend like a normal person.”
Roman considered.
“That seems inadequate.”
“Try.”
He sighed.
“Claire Bennett, will you officially become my girlfriend?”
She smiled.
“Maybe.”
Roman stared.
“Maybe?”
“You survived.”
Then she kissed him.
May you like
When they separated, she took the key.
“Yes.”
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