Chapter 10 - The Horizon
Three months later, the private gardens behind the Barrington estate were blooming with brilliant red roses and white hydrangeas.
The Chicago newspapers had long stopped speculating about the rumored divorce between the city's most elusive billionaire and his wife. Instead, the society columns were now buzzing with rumors of a massive, multi-million-dollar philanthropic trust established by the Cross Family Foundation, dedicated entirely to maternal health and pediatric research—run jointly by Dorian and Alina Cross.
Inside the shaded veranda, Alina sat comfortably in a cushioned white lounger, resting her hands gently over her now undeniably rounded belly. The twins were growing fast, kicking with enough force to remind her every afternoon that she was outnumbered.
Dorian walked out from the French doors, carrying a tray with two glasses of iced lemonade and a plate of fresh fruit. He wore a simple black t-shirt and linen trousers, a far cry from the armored suits and boardroom armor of his past life.
He set the tray on the glass table, walked over to Alina, and knelt down on one knee.
Without a word, he lifted the hem of her loose summer dress just enough to press his warm palm flat against her belly.
A moment later, a tiny, distinct kick pulsed against his hand.
Dorian’s face lit up with a brilliant, unfiltered smile—the kind of smile no reporter, no rival syndicate boss, and no federal prosecutor would ever capture on camera.
He pressed a long, tender kiss against her stomach, whispering something soft and secret against her skin.
Alina looked down at him, her heart overflowing with a fierce, unbreakable love. The shadows of the past were gone, washed away by fire and rain. The empire was secure, the enemies were buried, and the future was kicking right back against his hand.
May you like
She ran her fingers through his dark hair, smiling out at the sunlit lawn where the world finally felt safe.
They had survived the war. Now, it was time to live.
