Page 150 of Dex

“What are you waiting for, dude?Go get her.”

I hope I can.“You think she’ll listen?”

“I think,” Rio says carefully, “you’ve got a small window before Oscar Ramos convinces her she doesn’t have a choice.”

My blood turns cold, because that’s what worries me.I’ve moved as fast as I can and now I’m about to fly out.I know how fast my wife, myex-wife, moves when she puts her mind to something.“You think she’d really go through with it?”

“She flew all the way here to talk to Paul Knight.Who the hell does that?And she fought off a mugger.Dude, your wife has bigger balls than you.”

I smile.“She does, and I love that about her.”

“But you telling her about your exit strategy?Probably one of your dumber moves.”

I frown.“I didn’t want to have any more lies between us.”And then I think about it.He’s right.Daniela suffered too much betrayal that night.Me telling her about wanting to walk out, probably was too much.

“And dude,love?You actually used the ‘L’ word.You’re turning all soft.”

“I’ve come to my senses.I just didn’t realize it till I lost her.”I thought love was something I couldn’t have, but Daniela showed me I can.She’s given me the strength to go after what I need and what I want.Strength to love.

“Get on a plane,” Rio urges.“Go to Brazil.Go get the love of your life.”

I stare out at the skyline.New York feels gray today.Empty.Like something’s missing.

Because she’s missing.

“If it’s not too late,” I whisper.Daniela didn’t just love me, shesawme.

All of me.

And she stayed.

Until I gave her no reason to.

***

By the time I arrive at Daniela’s parent’s house in São Paulo, I’m soaked in sweat and regret.Her father answers the door, and his expression says it all.

“I’m too late, aren’t I?”

He shakes his head.“Not yet.”He steps aside to let me in.The familiar scent of the house, spices and fresh flowers fills the air.This is a cozy home, a home you’d want to come back to.Nothing fancy or sterile or cold about it.

It’s the type of place where I can see Daniela and her parents sitting down and having a good home-cooked meal.The type of home I want to come back to.

Just like that, I remember the first meal Daniela cooked in my apartment and suddenly, I long for that time again, being with her, living with her.The simplicity and security of domestic bliss, and I’m not sure how much of that was pretending.She changed me.For the better.

What kind of man lets a woman like her slip away from him?

An idiot like me.

Daniela’s mom comes rushing.“Dexter?”She keeps her distance as though she’s not sure how to welcome me, but I sense she wants to hug me.

I make the move first, stepping towards her.“Forgive me.”My voice falters.

She throws her arms around me.“You came for her.”We pull away and I see her eyes are filled with tears.“Save my child, please,” she begs.

My head snaps to her father.Daniela isn’t here, so where is she?

But I already know.

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