Chapter 9 - The New Foundation
Four months later.
The summer breeze coming off the lake was warm and sweet, carrying the scent of blooming hydrangeas and fresh-cut grass.
We weren't living in the gothic fortress in Lake Forest anymore. Cassian had bought a breathtaking, sunlit estate in Evanston—a quiet, historic town north of Chicago with wide oak-lined streets, excellent schools, and zero iron storm shutters.
Cassian had kept his promise. Over the last sixteen weeks, he had formally stepped down as CEO of Rowe Enterprises, transitioning the conglomerate into a publicly traded holding company managed by an independent board. His name was no longer linked to federal grand juries or shadowy city rumors; he was simply a devoted philanthropist and private investor.
And today, the new chapter of our lives truly began.
I stood in the light-filled nursery on the second floor, dressed in a soft cream maternity gown, looking out at the gardens.
A large pair of arms slid gently around my waist from behind. Cassian pulled me back against his chest, his chin resting comfortably on my shoulder. His hands stroked the massive, thirty-eight-week curve of my belly.
"You're supposed to be resting," he murmured into my ear, kissing my neck. "Dr. Vance said any day now."
"I can't sit still," I laughed softly, leaning back into his warmth. "The nursery curtains came today. I wanted to see them hung."
"Lev hung them twenty minutes ago," Cassian said, smiling.
It still amused me how Lev—the deadly, tactical enforcer who used to carry submachine guns—had transformed into a overly protective house manager who assembled cribs and ordered organic baby formulas.
"Look at this," Cassian whispered, turning my face toward him.
He held out a small, velvet-lined ring box. Inside sat an exquisite ring featuring a flawless, cushion-cut pale blue diamond set in platinum.
My breath caught in my throat. "Cassian..."
"I know we did everything backward," he said, taking the ring out of the box. His gray eyes were shining with unfiltered love. "We started with a rainy rooftop, five months of hiding, a mob attack, and a baby. But I want to do this right, Clara. I don't want you to just be the mother of my child. I want you to be my wife. My partner. My home."
Tears of absolute joy welled in my eyes. "Are you sure? I hear I'm very stubborn about reading contracts."
Cassian chuckled, sliding the gorgeous diamond onto my ring finger. "I'll let you edit every contract for the rest of my life."
"Then yes," I whispered, throwing my arms around his neck. "Yes, absolute—"
I froze mid-sentence. A sudden, sharp gasp escaped my lips as an intense, tightening sensation rippled across my abdomen.
Cassian caught me instantly, his face turning pale with panic. "Clara?! What is it?!"
May you like
I looked up at him, a wide, slightly terrified, but deliriously happy laugh escaping my lips.
"Cassian..." I panted, clutching his shoulders. "I think your heir just decided it's time to meet us."
