Chapter 10 - FOREVER CARVER
That night, after the gala had ended and the last guests had departed, the estate returned to a quiet, serene peace.
Claire stood on the master bedroom balcony, wrapped in a soft silk robe, leaning against the stone railing, watching the moonlight dance across the quiet lake in the distance.
Dominic walked out onto the balcony behind her, holding a cup of warm chamomile tea. He set the tea on the table, stepped up behind her, and wrapped his arms securely around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder.
His hand slid down, resting reverently over her belly, fingers spreading wide as if already protecting the tiny life growing inside her.
"I spoke with Marcus tonight," Dominic murmured against her hair.
"About what?"
"About retirement," Dominic revealed quietly. "I am stepping down from all active management of the family enterprises. I’ve transitioned everything into a blind trust managed by an independent corporate firm."
Claire turned in his arms, looking up at him in surprise. "Dominic... you're completely stepping away from the syndicate?"
"I don't need an empire anymore, Claire," Dominic said, looking into her eyes with pure, unadulterated love. "I spent my life fighting for territory because I thought it made me powerful. But standing here with you, knowing that our child is going to grow up in a world of peace... that is the only real power I will ever need."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small silver key she had left on his desk months ago—the key to the safe-deposit box containing the evidence of his past.
Dominic walked over to the balcony railing, held the key over the edge, and opened his fingers.
The silver key fell through the moonlight, splashing quietly into the deep, dark waters of the fountain forty feet below, disappearing forever into the depths.
Claire walked over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his chest, listening to the strong, steady, reassuring beat of his heart.
"You returned everything I gave you that night, Claire," Dominic whispered, wrapping his coat around her shoulders to shield her from the cool night breeze. "And yet, you gave me back my soul."
"We give each other everything, Dominic," Claire whispered, looking up at the stars glittering bright and clear above them. "That's what a real marriage is."
Dominic leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a long, slow, infinitely sweet kiss that tasted of promise, peace, and an everlasting future.
The mafia boss had called his curvy bride a gold digger.
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She had returned every dollar, walked out, and exposed the truth.
And in doing so, she had brought the king to his knees—not with fear, but with an unbreakable, victorious love that would last for the rest of their lives.
