Chapter 9 - The New Foundation
Four months later.
The spring sun warmed the spacious glass sunroom of a new, sprawling estate in Oak Brook—a quiet, private home ten miles away from the cold, formal atmosphere of the Gold Coast brownstone.
Luke had sold the old house, cutting ties with the legacy of his father's dark associates, and had spent four months systematically legalizing every single branch of the Morgan enterprise.
I sat in a comfortable reclining chair, dressed in a soft yellow sundress, my fully rounded belly resting comfortably under my hands. I was eight months pregnant, healthy, radiant, and completely free of complications.
The glass doors opened, and Luke walked in, carrying a tray with fresh fruit and warm herbal tea. He was wearing casual linen trousers and a soft grey sweater—a far cry from the stiff charcoal suits he used to wear every day.
He set the tray on the side table, dropped onto his knees beside my chair, and immediately pressed his ear against my stomach.
"Is she sleeping?" Luke whispered, a bright, radiant smile gracing his handsome face.
"She was until her father walked in," I chuckled softly, running my fingers through his dark, soft hair. "She started kicking the second she heard your voice."
Luke let out a soft laugh, pressing a warm kiss against my belly. "That's my girl."
A quiet knock sounded at the sunroom door. Marco stepped inside, holding a small leather folder.
"Boss," Marco said respectfully. "Your mother is downstairs. She has been waiting at the front gate for two hours with an apology letter for Mrs. Morgan."
Luke's smile faded slightly, replaced by a calm, settled posture. He looked up at me, waiting for my cue. Over the last four months, he had refused to make a single family decision without my full consent.
I looked out at the blooming garden, then back at my husband.
"Let her in, Marco," I said gently. "But tell her we have tea in the sunroom, and we only talk about the future, not the past."
May you like
Luke looked at me with deep, profound admiration, rising to his feet and kissing my forehead softly. "You have a kinder heart than anyone in this family deserves, Sophia."
"I'm not doing it for her, Luke," I smiled, taking his hand. "I'm doing it so our daughter grows up knowing her family chose love over pride."
