Chapter 15
One year after the winter-garden reception, Audrey held Julian’s first birthday in the same glass pavilion.
People questioned the choice.
Rocco did too.
“You sure?”
Audrey looked around the room.
The orchid stands had been replaced.
The broken ivy screen was gone.
Nothing about the space itself had betrayed her.
People had.
“I don't want them owning the room forever.”
Rocco understood.
The party was small.
Family.
Close friends.
No business associates.
No private meetings in adjoining rooms.
Gary was not there.
Audrey had not reached that point.
She had, however, sent him a photograph of Julian the week before.
No message.
Gary replied only:
Thank you.
Preston’s divorce from Audrey was complete.
The criminal and civil matters arising from his conduct had produced negotiated and court-supervised consequences, while Brenda faced separate penalties for her direct actions.
Neither outcome felt dramatic enough to equal what Audrey endured.
Real consequences rarely did.
They simply remained.
Rocco faced his own misdemeanor resolution connected to the reception violence and completed the required counseling.
He still attended periodically after the requirement ended.
He told no one except Audrey.
She told everyone.
He complained.
She laughed.
Near the end of the birthday, Audrey stood beside the orchid display with Julian in her arms.
Rocco came over.
“He's asleep at his own party.”
“Moretti tradition.”
“Your parties never let anyone sleep.”
“Exactly.”
Audrey smiled.
Then she looked toward the entrance.
Gary was standing outside the glass doors.
He had not entered.
Rocco’s expression changed.
“You invited him?”
“No.”
Audrey shifted Julian carefully.
“He asked if he could leave a gift with security.”
Rocco waited.
“What are you going to do?”
Audrey looked at Gary through the glass.
A year earlier, Rocco would already have made the decision.
Remove him.
Let him in.
Protect her.
Punish him.
Something.
Now he simply stood beside his daughter.
Audrey handed Julian to him.
“Hold him.”
Rocco took the baby.
Audrey walked toward the doors.
She stopped before opening them.
Gary waited on the other side.
Neither smiled.
Neither walked away.
Audrey opened the door only far enough to speak.
Rocco could not hear what she said.
He did not move closer.
Julian slept against his chest.
After a minute, Audrey accepted the small gift bag from Gary.
She did not invite him inside.
Not yet.
Gary nodded and left.
Audrey returned to her father.
“What did he say?” Rocco asked.
She took Julian back.
“That he was sorry.”
“And?”
Audrey looked toward the closing doors.
“I told him I already knew.”
Rocco waited for more.
There was none.
Audrey kissed her sleeping son’s forehead.
Forgiveness had not arrived.
May you like
Neither had hatred.
For the first time, nobody else was deciding which one had to come next.
