Chapter 25 - THE LAST SAFE
Renovation crews eventually repaired Belle’s basement apartment.
During construction they found one final safe.
Small.
Hidden beneath the old radiator.
Belle called Owen.
Then Renick.
Then Naomi.
Nobody touched it until everyone arrived.
Micah complained.
“I found the first box.”
“Exactly,” Belle said. “Your treasure hunting privileges are suspended.”
Inside the safe was no gun.
No money.
No ledger.
Only three items.
Owen’s original wedding ring.
A photograph of Belle holding newborn Micah.
And a note.
Owen recognized the handwriting.
Bianca.
She had hidden the safe.
The note read:
Owen,
If you survive, go home.
If going home is dangerous, make it safe.
Do not confuse absence with sacrifice forever.
Children grow while adults are afraid.
Belle read it twice.
Owen looked destroyed.
Bianca had understood him.
Maybe too well.
“She was right,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I wasted years.”
“Yes.”
“I thought—”
Belle stopped him.
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“Can you forgive me?”
Belle touched the wedding ring.
“I already started.”
Owen breathed shakily.
“That isn’t the same as finished.”
“No.”
“Will it ever be?”
“I don’t know.”
He nodded.
That answer was honest.
Belle liked honest answers now.
She handed him the ring.
He did not put it on.
Instead, he placed it in her palm.
May you like
“When you’re ready.”
Belle closed her fingers around it.
