Chapter 61 The Choice
"I need to say something. Both of you need to hear it."
Cedric's voice was weak. Hoarse from the breathing tube. But steady.
He was propped up in bed. Pale as the sheets. Dark circles under his eyes. IV lines running into both arms.
Gianni stood on the left side of the bed. Marcus on the right.
Like warring angels.
Linda stood at the foot. Arms crossed. Watching all three of them with sharp, protective eyes.
Cedric looked at Marcus first.
"You saved my life in that warehouse. You've been trying to save me since this started. And I'm grateful." He paused. Took a careful breath. "But Marcus... you're in love with an idea of me. The boy I was in high school. The person I could have been. Not who I actually am."
Marcus's jaw tightened. "Cedric..."
"Let me finish." Cedric's hand trembled as he reached for the water cup. Linda moved forward. Helped him drink. "I'm not that person anymore. I can't be. And I don't want to be."
"You could be." Marcus stepped closer. "With time. With distance from all this. You could remember who you were before..."
"Before what? Before my father died? Before I became a sex worker? Before I fell in love with a monster?" Cedric set the cup down. "Those things happened, Marcus. They made me who I am. And I can't just erase them because it would be easier for you to love me if I did."
Marcus looked away. His hands clenched at his sides.
Cedric turned to Gianni.
"And you."
Gianni went very still.
"You destroyed my life to get close to me. You killed my father. You traumatized my sister. You've manipulated everything." Cedric's voice didn't waver. "Every choice I thought I was making was really just another part of your plan."
Gianni's face crumbled. "Cedric, I..."
"I'm not done." Cedric's eyes were fierce despite the weakness in his body. "But you're also the only person who's ever really seen me. All of me. The mess and the broken parts and the darkness. And you loved me anyway."
Silence filled the room.
The machines beeped. Steady and relentless.
Linda shifted her weight. Her arms tightened across her chest.
"I'm choosing myself." Cedric looked between them. "For the first time in my life, I'm choosing what I want. Not what I need or what's safest or what makes sense."
"Cedric..." Linda's voice was soft. Worried.
"I want Gianni." The words landed like bombs. "I want the life we could build together. But…" His voice got stronger. "...on my terms. Not as your kept boy. Not as your possession. As your equal partner. Or not at all."
Gianni's breath caught.
Cedric looked at Marcus. "And I want you in my life too. As a friend. If you can handle that."
Marcus's face showed everything. Devastation. Resignation. Hope dying slowly.
He nodded. Once. Sharp and final.
Then he walked out.
Didn't look back.
Linda watched him go. Shook her head. "Cedric..."
"Ma, please."
She looked at her son. At Gianni. At the space between them.
"I'll be outside." She touched Cedric's hand. Squeezed gently. "If you need me."
Then she followed Marcus.
The door closed.
Gianni and Cedric were alone.
Gianni approached the bed slowly. Like approaching something wild and precious.
"Equal partners?"
"Equal partners," Cedric confirmed. His eyes didn't leave Gianni's face. "Starting now. No more secrets. No more manipulation. Full transparency or I walk."
"I don't know if I can..."
"Learn." Cedric's voice was steel wrapped in velvet. "Or lose me."
Gianni sat carefully on the edge of the bed. The mattress dipped under his weight.
"You're terrifying when you're ruthless."
"I learned from the best." A faint smile touched Cedric's lips.
Gianni reached out. Brushed hair back from Cedric's forehead. His hand trembled.
"I almost lost you. Twice."
"But you didn't."
"What if next time..."
"Then we deal with next time together." Cedric caught his hand. Held it. "As equals. As partners. You don't get to protect me by pushing me away anymore."
"That's going to be hard for me."
"I know." Cedric's thumb traced circles on Gianni's palm. "But you're going to try. Because the alternative is losing me. And you can't handle that."
Gianni's laugh was wet. Broken. "No. I can't."
He leaned down. Pressed his forehead to Cedric's.
They breathed together.
The machines beeped around them.
"I love you," Gianni whispered. "I've loved you since I was nineteen years old. Since I watched you cry over someone who didn't deserve you. And I'll love you until I die."
"I know." Cedric's eyes closed. "I love you too. Even though you're a manipulative bastard who destroyed my life."
"I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
"You better."
Their lips met. Gentle. Careful of the oxygen tube. Of the bandages. Of everything broken between them.
When they pulled apart, Cedric was crying.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Cedric wiped his eyes. "For the first time in a long time, nothing is wrong. I'm exactly where I want to be. With exactly who I want to be with. On my own terms."
Gianni kissed his forehead. His cheeks. The corner of his mouth.
"Rest. You need to heal."
"Stay with me?"
"Always."
Gianni shifted. Carefully. Lay down beside Cedric on the narrow hospital bed.
Cedric turned into him. Rested his head on Gianni's chest.
They fit together perfectly.
The door burst open.
Marco stumbled in. Face flushed. Eyes wild.
Gianni sat up fast. "Marco? What..."
"Boss." Marco's voice shook. "We have a problem. Dante escaped from the hospital prison ward. He's gone."