Chapter 19 - SOPHIE'S CHOICEA month later, we stood on the cliffside overlooking the Hudson River at the Russo estate. The spring breeze was warm, blowing away the last remnants of winter.
Antonio pulled a velvet box from his pocket—not the corporate diamond ring from before, but a simple, elegant platinum band set with a modest sapphire.
"You fulfilled your promise, Sophie," Antonio said softly, looking at me with deep affection. "The family is safe, Dante is gone, and your trust fund has been fully unlocked. You can go back to nursing school anywhere in the world. You're completely free."
I looked at the ring, then at the vast horizon of Brooklyn stretching out before us. I reached into my pocket, pulled out the gold signet ring I had worn since Maria's death, and placed it gently in his palm.
"I don't want to be a mob boss, Antonio," I said, smiling through happy tears. "And I don't want to run away anymore."
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I took the simple platinum band from the box and slipped it onto my left ring finger.
"I’m going to finish my medical degree right here in New York," I said, leaning up to kiss him. "And we are going to rebuild this city together."
