“Delete My Number,” She Said—Then Six Men Stepped Aside for the Crime Lord She’d Been Secretly Writing To
Chapter 12
The trial of Edmund Vale lasted months.
He was convicted on charges involving fraud, unlawful seizure, bribery, and murder.
Several officials lost their positions.
Some were imprisoned.
Others were forced to return stolen property.
The Bennett fortune was divided.
Clara kept enough to support her mother.
The rest went toward restoring farms and helping families ruined by Vale.
Matteo did the same.
When people asked why a crime lord would give away his wealth, he gave them the same answer:
“Because most of it was never mine.”
Clara admired him for that.
One evening, they walked along the river.
“Do you regret writing to me?” Matteo asked.
She smiled.
“Every day.”
He stopped.
She laughed.
“Because if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have met you.”
He smiled.
“That makes no sense.”
“It does to me.”
They stood beneath the moonlight.
Matteo took her hand.
“I never wanted to own you.”
“I know.”
“I never wanted to command you.”
“I know.”
“I only wanted you safe.”
Clara looked into his eyes.
“And now?”
He hesitated.
“Now I want you beside me.”
She smiled.
“That sounds like a question.”
“It is.”
Clara squeezed his hand.
“Yes.”
