Chapter 10 - A New Dawn
Six months later.
The morning sun poured through the massive windows of the estate. The house felt different now. Lighter. Warmer. The oppressive, cold energy Victoria used to bring to these halls was entirely gone.
Victoria and Marcus were both serving federal prison sentences. The divorce had been swift, brutal, and entirely in my favor. I was granted full, undisputed custody of Leo and Julian.
I walked into the kitchen, the smell of fresh pancakes and brewing coffee filling the air.
At the stove stood Elena. After the charges against her were dropped and her name fully cleared, I had offered her a massive settlement. Instead of taking the money and running, she had asked for her job back. The boys loved her, and she loved them. She was family now.
"Morning, Mr. Sterling," she smiled, flipping a pancake onto a plate.
"Morning, Elena." I sat at the marble island.
May you like
Footsteps thundered down the stairs, and Leo and Julian sprinted into the kitchen, laughing loudly as they fought over who got the first plate. I pulled them both in for a massive hug, listening to the beautiful, chaotic sound of their joy.
I had wealth, power, and an empire. But looking at my two smiling sons, safe and happy in a home finally free of lies, I knew I had already won the only thing that truly mattered.
