Chapter 10 - The New Empire
Three weeks later, the warm morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Adrien's penthouse.
Marina stood in the massive kitchen, humming softly as she prepared a bottle of warm milk.
She walked into the living room, smiling as she watched Adrien sitting on the expensive leather sofa.
He was still wearing a sling for his recovering shoulder, but he looked healthier and more relaxed than she had ever seen him.
Noah was sitting on Adrien's lap, happily chewing on the sleeve of Adrien's tailored jacket.
Adrien looked up and smiled at Marina, an expression reserved entirely and exclusively for her.
He had paid off all of her debts, cleared her eviction, and offered her a permanent place by his side.
Marina had accepted without a single moment of hesitation, realizing that home was not a place, but a person who made you feel safe.
Victor had honored his agreement, taking back his syndicate and maintaining a fragile, respectful peace with Adrien's empire.
The nightmare was finally over, and they were ready to start a new life together as a real family.
Marina walked over and kissed Adrien softly on the forehead, feeling a profound sense of absolute peace.
Later that afternoon, Marina went into the guest bedroom to unpack the final boxes of her old belongings.
She opened a dusty cardboard box that contained some of Liam's old paperwork from before he faked his death.
At the bottom of the box, hidden inside a sealed manila envelope, was an authentic birth certificate for Noah.
Marina opened the document, her heart suddenly freezing in her chest as she read the printed words.
May you like
The date of birth was listed exactly one year before she had ever met Liam.
Under the section for the biological mother, the name printed in stark black ink was Marina's own estranged sister.
