After she gave it to him, Emily went to put on the kettle. The doorbell rang less than ten minutes later. “Open up,” Richard called cheerfully. “I brought you something.” “What?” Emily asked, confused. “Come to the kitchen—it’s warmer in there.” “Forget the tea,” Richard said with a laugh, stepping aside.
Emily looked past him into the hallway and froze. Standing against the wall, holding a huge bouquet of red roses, was Sam. He was smiling, radiant with happiness. “Sam!” Emily cried, throwing herself into his arms. “Why didn’t anyone tell me? I don’t even have dinner ready!” “That was the point,” Richard said, lifting a grocery bag. “We brought our own.”
Before long, all three of them were sitting around the table. Emily could hardly take her eyes off Sam, still unable to believe he was really there. Richard tried to leave, but they insisted he stay for lunch. “Never in my life did I think I’d be sitting at a table with you like this,” Sam said with a crooked smile, clinking glasses with Richard. “Life’s funny.”
“Watch your friends more carefully than your enemies,” Richard said. “I owe you both. Emily saved my company. Who would’ve guessed? And by the way, your lawyer didn’t exactly disappear. He just tossed his phone and sulked like a teenager. Quite the legal shark.” “Let him go,” Emily said. “The important thing is Sam is free.”
“So what now?” Richard asked. “We live,” Emily said, smiling. “That’s the plan.” “Good plan,” Richard said. Then he turned to Sam. “I could give you a solid position at my company if you want one.” “No,” Sam said immediately. “We’re starting over somewhere else. Far from all this. You with me?” he asked Emily.
“Anywhere,” she said without hesitation. “I respect that,” Richard said. He opened a briefcase, took out a thick envelope, and set it on the table. “What’s this?” Sam asked. “Seed money,” Richard said with a wink. “Be happy. You’ve earned it.” Then he said his goodbyes and left.
Emily opened the envelope and gasped. She had never seen that much money in her life. “Well, I’ll be,” Sam said. “Looks like the boss is trying to clean up his karma.” Then his face lit up. “I’ve got an idea.” “Let’s hear it,” Emily said.
“Do you remember the area where we met?” “Of course. It’s the best place on earth.” “Near the monastery there was a beautiful two-story log house for sale. I kept wondering who would buy a place like that out in the woods. Remember?” “I think I know where this is going,” Emily said, laughing.
“We buy it,” Sam said. “All that quiet, all that nature. I can finally open the woodworking shop I’ve always wanted. Build furniture. Do honest work.” His eyes shone with the excitement of a dream suddenly within reach.
“Perfect,” Emily said, clapping her hands. “There couldn’t be a better place for us.” “Then it’s settled,” Sam said, pulling her close. “Tomorrow we pack and head toward our new life.” For the first time in her life, Emily felt real peace. Beside this steady, decent man, she felt safe and at home. She knew he would never betray her. And she believed that ahead of them lay something she had never truly had before: a quiet, happy life, far from manipulation, fear, and betrayal.
