Chapter 9
408words
Instead, Jack was waiting at the train station, leaning against his car.
When he saw me step off alone, he didn't ask questions—just grabbed my bag.
Outside the station, the wind cut like a knife.
Chicago winters were always brutal like this.
He cranked the heat, and warmth flooded the car.
The radio played some sad love song about second chances.
"Never thought I'd find you again in this ocean of faces… Life's been neither good nor bad—just empty without you…"
I burst out laughing.
"I thought he moved to Atlanta because I once told him I hated Chicago winters and dreamed of settling somewhere warmer."
"Atlanta is plenty warm. Perfect place to make a home—with someone else as his wife."
"Turns out in his mind, I was always just… that pathetic girl on her knees begging for rescue."
"I actually believed he had a heart."
Jack eased off the gas. "So what now?" he asked quietly.
I shook my head.
He kept his eyes on the road, voice steady. "Work with me."
When I didn't answer right away, his ears flushed red.
"Not like that," he added quickly. "I just meant… I've got this legit business going. You could be part of it."
I watched his ears burn brighter and smiled. "Alright."
Time to say goodbye.
Goodbye to the Olivia who took the fall for Dominic Hayes and wasted six years behind bars.
From now on, I'd be just me. Nobody's weapon. Nobody's tool.
…
Jack drove me to a bar.
It used to be Dominic's place before the feds seized it. Now it was completely renovated.
"Ready to open whenever you say," he said.
"Congratulations," I said, meaning it.
His eyes crinkled. "Congrats to you too. You'll decide when we open. Don't worry—it's all legit."
I froze, then caught the earnest look in his eyes.
Something warm bloomed in my chest.
He grinned. "Liv, I'm giving you management, not ownership. Don't look so scared."
I understood his kindness. "I'll take it. Thank you."
I knew how hard he must have worked to get this place.
He was trusting me with it. That meant something.
I'd known how he felt about me for years.
But before, I'd only had eyes for Dominic.
But now…
Even with that space in my heart empty, the broken woman I'd become didn't deserve someone as good as Jack Wilson.
