CHAPTER 10
Six months later, the bright spring sun rose over the calm, blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, casting a warm golden light over the estate’s private terrace.
Clare stood near the stone balustrade, wearing a simple, breathtaking white silk dress that moved softly with the gentle morning sea breeze.
The scars on her hands had completely healed, replaced by smooth skin and the simple, elegant gold wedding band that she had chosen to wear once again.
The war that had plagued the East Coast for a decade was officially over; the Moretti syndicate had been completely dismantled, its leaders incarcerated or scattered to the wind.
Leo stepped out onto the stone terrace, wearing a casual gray linen shirt and trousers, holding two fresh cups of dark espresso.
He walked over to her, setting the cups down on a small marble table before wrapping his powerful arms around her waist from behind.
"What are you thinking about?" Leo murmured softly against her hair, his breath warm and comforting against her neck.
"I'm thinking about how much I hated you three years ago," she admitted with a soft, genuine chuckle that echoed over the rustling waves below.
"And now?" Leo asked, his hands resting gently over her hips as he pulled her closer against his chest.
"Now I realize that the monster who kept me in a cage was the only man who would tear down the world just to keep me safe," she whispered, turning in his arms to press her lips softly against his jaw.
May you like
Leo smiled, a true, radiant smile that erased the years of exhaustion and blood from his features, kissing her deeply as the sun bathed their home in pure, unshakeable peace.
They had survived the violence, broken the chains of the past, and reclaimed a love that was forged in fire, forever whole, victorious, and free.
