Chapter 17 - THE CHOICETwo days later, Nora stood at the counter of Oak Creek Community Bank holding a stamped loan pre-approval letter for eighty-five thousand dollars.
The banker had reviewed her six years of meticulous financial records, noted her steady employment, and verified Adrien's limited secondary guarantee. The mortgage was approved in her name alone.
When she walked out into the crisp afternoon air, Adrien was waiting by his truck, holding two paper cups of gas-station coffee.
Nora walked up to him, held the paper out, and let out a breathless, joyful laugh that echoed down the quiet street.
"I got it," she whispered, her eyes shining. "I bought my house, Adrien. In my name."
Adrien took the paper, looked at her name printed bold across the top—NORA VANCE — SOLE MORTGAGOR—and felt a wave of pride so intense it made his throat tight.
"You earned it, Nora," he said softly. "Every single cent."
She looked at him—really looked at him—standing in his worn canvas coat, holding two-dollar coffee, his hair swept by the winter wind. She remembered the night the news broadcast had revealed his twelve-billion-dollar fortune. She remembered how terrified she had been that he was just another man buying his way into her life.
She stepped forward, set her coffee cup on the hood of the truck, reached up, and pulled his face down to hers.
The kiss was sweet, warm, and long overdue.
May you like
When she pulled back, Adrien’s dark eyes were wide with quiet wonder.
"I used to think your money was a wall," Nora murmured, her hand resting flat against his chest, feeling the strong, steady beat of his heart. "But I was wrong. The money was just what you had. This is who you are."
Related Stories
