Chapter 248
Maureen spent the first dawn after the shooting alone in Roscoe’s library, fingers idly tracing the spine of an unread novel while the wind reased the lace curtains. The estate felt safe–Roscoe’s men patrolled discreetly–but memories of gunfire still rang in her ears. Every distant thed started her every sudden silence made her chest tighten.
News from the city arrived with the morning papers Jared Stone remained in stable condition after surgery. Jackson kept vigil at his becside Maureen read the headline twice, then folded the pages with shaking hands. She should have felt nothing–yet a gentle ache Ingered. Once rose boys had been her brothers, her first loves, her entire childhood.
That afternoon she wrote a short note on cream stationery: I hope you heal quickly.
Take this as proof that forgiveness is possible, even when forgetting is not!
-MRI
–
She sealed the enveloce, sicced it into a wooden box with a vintage fountain pen Jared had given her at graduation, and added a tin of the lemon ginger tee Jackson used to brew for study nights. The parcel left the estate under guard, no return address.
Jared held the box with bandaged fingers. Tears blurred the ink on Maureen’s note–she had signed only initials, but her careful script was unmistakable. He whispered the words aloud, voice cracking, Jackson, watching from the window, exhaled–the first breath not burdened with share since the chapell
Later that day the door opened, and Roscoe Smith stepped inside. He wore no suit jacket, only a rolled–sleeve shirt; the scar on his forearm was a fresh reminder of the night he’d defended Maureen I
“Mr. Smith Jared rasped, stong up
Roscoe stopped at the foot of the bed. “I’m not here to reopen wounds,” he said quietly. “Only to close them. Maureen sent a gift because she’s merciful. Do not mistake her kindness for an invitation.“I
Jared managed a nod know I won’t chase her anymore.“I
Jackson straightened, meeting Roscoe’s gare. “We hurt her. We won’t let it happen again.“I
Roscoe studied rem–two men hollowed by regret–then extended his uninjured hand. Jared hesitated, but grasped it. A truce, nothing more. Yet the tension in the room eased like a window cracked to fresh air.!
Focus on healing Roscoe said, tuming to leave. That’s the best apology you can give. “I
Roscoe returned to the estate long after twilight. Maureen, unaware of his detour, paced beneath a canopy of wisteria lights in the rear garden. When she saw him relief flooded her face, quickly followed by curiosity–he wore a sly smile and carried a white velvet box. “Come with me.” he said threading their fingers.i
Lanters flickered along a narrow path that hadn’t been lit before. At the end stood the old greenhouse–its glass panes polished, floor swept, docens of ivory candles shimmering against rows of blooming jasmine. In the center, an antique rug formed a makeshift aisle; at the front warned her parents, Judge Hemera, and a string duo softly tuning their instruments.
Maureen covered her mouth Roscoe. this is.1
“A wedding,” he finished eyes warm. “Ours. You deserve this after what happened. Tonight is only for you me, and those who love us without condition.” He opened the velvet box–inside lay two simple platinum bands engraved Ever After Today.
Tears gathered in her lashes. “I don’t have a dress,” she whispered.
“You have everything you need,” her mother called gently, holding up the silk shawl Maureen’s grandmother once wore on her own wedding night “Shall we begin?”
Roscoe guided Maureen down the tiny aisle Candlelight painted gold in her hair, esmine perfumed the air. Judge Herrera’s voice was soft but sure as vows were exchanged.
promise to be your shelter when the world is loud Roscoe said, sliding the band onto her finger X
7 promise to choose you when fears whisper old les” Maureen answered, slipping his ring home!
“Want these witnesses” the judge concluded, ” pronounce you husband and wife. You may-“I
Roscoe didn’t wat for permission; he pulled Maureen into a kiss that tasted of relief and beginnings. Her parents applauded quietly. wping grateful tears.3
Past midnight, moonlight spilled over the master bedroom’s balcony. Roscoe set Maureen’s shawl on a chair and cupped her face with bom hands
“No one will hurt you again,” he murmured against her lips.i
” batieve you” she whispered back guiding his started arm around her waist. They moved together–slow, reverent, rediscovering every hewed bonus, every unspoken hope Clothes sipped away, promises etched themselves in skin and breath Outside, jasmine nodded in ex night breeze whale is they tangled in warm sheets, sighing each other’s names until dawn brushed pale pink across the curtains t Sumetne malay, a man leamed to let go, and a woman faced her own emptiness. But in this room, fear finally surrendered to love and Maureen shay with maghemares for the first time in years–Roscoe’s heartbeat steady beneath her cheek, a pulse that said home
very beat. I
2:15 PM
