Chapter 10 - A New Empire
Two years later.
We didn't live in a Manhattan penthouse, but we didn't live in a cramped apartment either. Julian had used the remainder of his personal savings to start a new, smaller real estate firm—one focused on building affordable family housing. He worked normal hours. He was home for dinner every single night.
It was Christmas Eve. The Ohio snow was falling softly outside the windows of our beautiful, warm suburban home. The triplets, now nearly four years old, were asleep upstairs, exhausted from leaving cookies out for Santa.
I was standing by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa, when Julian walked up behind me.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder.
"I love this house," he whispered.
"It's messy," I laughed, pointing at the toy trucks scattered across the rug.
"It's perfect," he corrected. He gently turned me around to face him. The firelight caught the deep, genuine peace in his hazel eyes.
Without a word, Julian dropped to one knee.
I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth.
He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket. Inside wasn't a massive, gaudy diamond like the one he had given Victoria. It was a beautiful, vintage sapphire ring—simple, elegant, and filled with soul.
"Clara," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You took a broken, arrogant, terrified man, and you showed him what true wealth looks like. You gave me a family I didn't deserve, and a love I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn. Will you marry me?"
Tears spilled down my cheeks. I didn't hesitate. I didn't look back at the past. I only saw our beautiful future.
May you like
"Yes," I whispered, pulling him up into a fierce, passionate kiss.
He spun me around in the glow of the Christmas tree. We had lost a billion-dollar empire, but we had built something far stronger. We had built a home. And finally, we had our happily ever after.
