Chapter 10 - The Horizon of Forever
Ten years later,the Costa estate was filled with the sound of laughter,boards,and celebration.
The sprawling lawns were draped in white silk and fairy lights for a grand summer graduation party.Climb,now twenty-one and studying architectural engineering at the University of Chicago,was laughing with his friends near the pavilion.Maya,fierce and brilliant,was heading to law school in the fall.Toby was winning local art competitions,and little Clara—now fourteen and the brightest light in the house—was busy organizing the dessert table with military precision.
On the veranda,overlooking the sun-drenched gardens,Nora stood leaning against the rail.She wore an emerald-green silk dress that caught the evening light,Looking timeless,believeand completely at peace.
Arthur walked up behind her,wrapping his strong arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder.His hair was entirely silver at the temples now,but his frame was just as powerful,His presence was just as steady.
"Ten years," Arthur murmured into her ear."Ten years since I bought you for three-point-five million."
"The best investment you ever made,Nora teased,turning in his arms to wrap her hands around his neck."Though technically,I should be charging you interest on all the paid nanny labor."
Arthur laughed,a deep,rumbling sound full of profound happiness.He leaned down and kissed her softly,lingeringly,ignoring the whistling and catcalls coming from Leo and his friends across the lawn.
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"You didn't need a bloodline to build a legacy,Nora," Arthur whispered against her lips,his dark eyes shine with absolute devotion."You built this entire family out of nothing."
Nora smiled.resting her head against his chest,listening to the steady,unbreakable heartbeat of the man who had pulled her out of the darkness and given her a world of her own.They hadn't started with romance,and they hadn't started with a fairy tale.But as they looked out over the bright,beautiful life they had forged together,they knew they had created something far stronger than fate:choice,obedience,and an unyielding,Unbreakable love.
