Chapter 44 - When Love Wasn't EnoughTwo nights later, Elias and Kalista argued for the first time.
It began with an innocent question.
"Are you sure you're prepared for the financial consequences?" Elias asked.
They were standing in Kalista's penthouse.
The city glittered below.
"What consequences?"
"The personal guarantees you've been considering. The additional contribution."
Kalista turned.
"I know what I'm doing."
"I'm not questioning your intelligence."
"It sounds like you are."
Elias sighed.
"I'm worried you're trying to carry everything yourself again."
Kalista folded her arms.
"And I'm worried you don't understand that sometimes things require a financial risk."
"Of course they do."
"Then why are we arguing?"
"Because I don't want you to believe you have to buy your way into being a good person."
His words struck harder than he intended.
Kalista went still.
"Is that what you think I'm doing?"
"No."
"Then don't say it."
Elias stepped closer.
"I'm saying you deserve a life beyond fixing everything Sterling destroyed."
Kalista looked away.
For a moment, the apartment felt unbearably quiet.
"I don't know how to do that," she admitted.
Elias's expression softened.
"Then we learn."
She shook her head.
"You make it sound easy."
"It isn't."
He reached for her hand.
She withdrew it.
"I need some time."
Elias nodded.
He didn't argue.
He didn't demand reassurance.
He simply picked up his coat.
"Call me when you're ready."
After he left, Kalista stood alone beside the windows.
She had become accustomed to solving problems by working harder.
But Elias wasn't a problem.
And love wasn't a negotiation she could win.
The next morning, she called him.
"I was afraid," she said.
"Of what?"
"That if I stopped being useful, you'd stop wanting me around."
There was a long silence.
Then Elias replied, "Kalista, I liked you before I had any idea whether Harbor Row would succeed."
She closed her eyes.
"I know."
"And I don't need you to rescue me."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"Good."
He laughed softly.
"Because my cooking may be beyond saving."
Kalista laughed through her tears.
They agreed to meet that evening.
No big speeches.
May you like
No expensive gifts.
Just a conversation neither intended to avoid.
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