“I’ve dreamt of those eyes,” he whispered. Her smile washed over him with a warmth that even sunshine couldn’t provide.

“As have I.”

Her voice was the melody of his soul. Then it was gone. She had turned away. “Look at me,” he commanded. “I’ve missed you so much. Why are you looking away?”

Once again, peering upward, she asked, “Do you know? Do you know what they say about me?”

“I know. I love you.”

Her pained expression broke his heart.

“They think I’m crazy.”

Caressing her back, he tried to reassure her, “I think we’re all crazy. That doesn’t mean that I’m leaving here today without you. My love, you’re coming home.”

“I’m leaving here? How?” she asked.

Brent stepped forward, penetrating their bubble. Before he could speak, Claire reached out and took his hand. “I’m so thankful you’re all right!”

“Me too,” Brent said. “If I weren’t alive, I couldn’t be the one to tell you…” He grinned. “…I wouldn’t be the one to help you. As long as Tony was incarcerated, Emily was your listed next of kin and held your power of attorney. I’m holding the judgment by Judge Wein: your husband is, once again, legally your next of kin. Until you’re completely cleared medically, he has the power to make your medical decisions, including your release…”

Tony stared at the woman with her hand in his. She was the vision of everything and anything he’d ever wanted. As she questioned Brent about her release, and as she walked to her sister and spoke, all Tony could think about was her. She obviously wasn’t crazy. There’d never been anyone to hold him captive as she could. Yes, he may have been the one who locked the door, but she was the one who held the key to his heart. As long as she was near, she’d forever have that power. He didn’t mind. It could never belong to anyone else.

As they exited Mr. Leason’s office for the last time, Tony saw John and Emily waiting. They stood as he and Claire approached. To Tony’s surprise, John held out his hand.

“Anthony.”

With his hand extended, Tony replied, “Tony. Please, call me Tony. Thank you, John, for all you’ve done while I was away. Brent tells me you’ve been quite helpful at Rawlings.”

“It was for Nichol and Claire.”

Tony nodded. “And for that, for our family, I thank you.”

John went on, “I’ve been privy to many of your decisions. I want you to know that I respect them.”

Tony hadn’t known how this would go, but in this moment, he was relieved. “Then I hope my return won’t cause you to search for another job. Rawlings Industries and I can always use someone like you on our side.”

“Emily and I need to talk, but I think I’d like that.”

Tony looked at his wife as she released his hand and wrapped her arms around John’s neck. He heard tears in her voice as she said, “I had no idea you were working at Rawlings.” Next, she hugged her sister. “Thank you, Emily. Thank you for not fighting this.”

John explained, “Anth—I mean, Tony’s right and you’re right. We are a family. For our children, we need to behave like adults.”

Claire stammered, “Ch-children… I can’t wait to see Nichol and meet Michael.”

It was Emily’s turn to cry. “She’s so little. She won’t understand—”

John spoke the voice of reason. “Your daughter is beautiful and intelligent. She’s also young. As long as we do this together, she’ll make the transition just fine.”

Claire peered upward. Placing her hand back into Tony’s, she said, “We’ve missed so much. I can’t wait to hold her again.”

Could they make this work? Could the four of them, no, the six of them truly be a family? Tony spoke to his brother- and sister-in-law. “Thank you again, not just for Rawlings, but for taking care of Nichol. We’re anxious to come and see her, but first I’d like to take Claire somewhere. It won’t take long, and then we’ll be over to your house. The child psychologist I consulted recommended a gradual transition before we bring her home to stay.”

“I thought—” Claire started.

Emily interrupted, “Yes, gradual. I think Tony’s right.” Her pained smile turned toward Tony. “Thank you. This’ll give us time to talk with her, to try to explain things. Let’s make this as easy for Nichol as possible.”

With Claire’s hand once again secured, they walked through the doors. She looked up at the sky and said, “It feels so good to be free.”

He knew the feeling, but she was wrong. She wasn’t truly free, not yet. Despite the warmth of her hand, he knew what he needed to do. Never again would she be captive. When her beautiful green eyes met his, he said, “I want to show you something.”

We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.

—Lucy Maud Montgomery

Unbeknownst to Claire, during their drive to the estate, Tony waged an internal war of wills. On one side was his desire. With Claire’s hand in his, her head on his shoulder, and her trusting gazes, that side was gaining strength by the second. He wanted her more than life. With her beside him, he was complete. Never had another person accepted him the way his Claire had done. Though she knew his sins and shortcomings, she never judged. She forgave. She forgave unforgivable acts. She forgave a man who had never before been forgiven. It was more than that: she’d given him a child and a life. Claire was the light to his dark and the right to his wrong. With her beside him, he wanted to forget everything he’d learned in prison, to forget why he was bad for her. He wanted his wife.