Chapter 11 - The Reclaiming
They hoisted Jason to his feet.
His handsome, smooth facade was completely destroyed, replaced by a pathetic, weeping panic.
"Eleanor, please!" Jason sobbed, tears and blood smearing across his cheeks.
"I was desperate! The men in Macao were going to kill me!"
"I cared about you, Eleanor! I really did! Please don't do this!"
Eleanor stood motionless, watching the young man squirm in the grips of the federal officers.
She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the vintage diamond ring he had used to propose three months ago.
She dropped it into his breast pocket.
"You were right about one thing, Jason," Eleanor said softly, her eyes clear and unyielding.
"I do deserve to be happy."
"And watching you spend the rest of your young life in a federal cell is going to bring me immense joy."
The agents dragged the weeping man out of the penthouse, his cries echoing down the private elevator shaft until the doors sealed shut.
The grand residence returned to absolute quiet.
Marcus Vance stepped beside Eleanor, offering a warm, supportive hand.
"Are you alright, Eleanor?" Marcus asked softly.
Eleanor walked over to the grand glass window, looking out over the glowing city skyline.
The ache of fifty-two years of loneliness was still there.
The sting of his deception still burned deep inside her chest.
But as she looked at her reflection in the glass, she saw a woman who had fought, survived, and conquered once again.
She smiled gently, taking a deep breath of the quiet air.
May you like
"I am fine, Marcus," Eleanor said, turning around to face her life.
"In fact, I think I am going to buy another hotel tomorrow."
