Chapter 10 - The Horizon of Vlysse
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in Vlysse, transforming the estate's coastal gardens into a vibrant canvas of green grass, blooming white jasmine, and wild blue hydrangea. The cold, sterile aesthetic that had once defined the three-story mansion was entirely gone, replaced by the natural, messy warmth of an active, happy family life.
It was a bright Saturday morning. The sun shone brightly over the ocean, casting sparkling light across the stone terrace.
Marcus sat at the outdoor teak table, wearing a casual linen shirt and jeans. He was sipping black coffee while reviewing plans for a new community children's center that the Delgado Foundation was funding downtown—a project designed to provide free, high-quality childcare and grief counseling for low-income families, fully managed and directed by Pia.
From the lower garden, the sound of loud, joyous laughter echoed up the lawn.
Marcus set his coffee cup down, looking over the stone balustrade.
Ben, now four years old, was sprinting through the green grass, wearing a bright yellow shirt and grass-stained sneakers. He was chasing a golden retriever puppy that Marcus had adopted for him two months ago—a dog named Ocean, who was currently running in wild circles, barking happily.
Pia was sitting on the grass nearby, wearing a light summer dress, laughing as the puppy tried to steal one of Ben’s wooden building blocks.
Marcus stood up from the table and walked down the stone steps into the garden.
"Daddy! Look how fast Ocean is!" Ben shouted, skidding to a stop in front of Marcus, his cheeks flush with health and excitement, his hazel eyes sparkling with pure, uninhibited joy.
Marcus dropped to one knee, catching Ben in a tight, lifting hug. "He's fast, but I think you're faster."
Ben giggled, wrapping his arms securely around Marcus's neck, giving him a firm kiss on the cheek before wiggling down to run after the puppy once again.
Marcus stood up, turning to Pia, who was watching them with a peaceful, radiant smile.
He walked over to her, extending a hand to help her up from the grass. She took it, pulling herself up smoothly, stepping right into his space. Marcus didn't let go of her hand. He pulled her gently closer, sliding his other hand around her waist, drawing her against his chest.
Pia looked up at him, her brown eyes filled with deep, quiet affection. "You're supposed to be reviewing the architectural blueprints for the center, Mr. Delgado."
"The blueprints can wait," Marcus said softly, his voice rich with warmth. "The director of the foundation is currently distracting me."
Pia laughed, leaning her head against his chest, listening to the steady, strong beat of his heart. "She sounds very unreasonable."
"She’s absolute trouble," Marcus murmured into her hair. "She breaks all my house rules. She ignores my schedules. She tells me exactly what she thinks without an ounce of hesitation."
Pia pulled back slightly, looking up at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And what are you going to do about it?"
Marcus looked down at her face, tracing the delicate line of her jaw with his fingers. "I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Pia froze. Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening in genuine, breathless surprise. "Marcus..."
Marcus reached into his pocket, pulling out a simple, elegant velvet box. He opened it to reveal a custom ring—a central brilliant-cut diamond flanked by two small, smooth cabochon sapphires, matching the color of the river stone and the brooch that had brought them together.
"Eight months ago, I was a ghost living in a tomb," Marcus said, his voice deep, clear, and steady. "I was terrified of loving my own son because I couldn't bear the thought of pain. You walked into this house with a worn backpack and an unshakeable heart, and you taught us both how to live again. You didn't just care for Ben, Pia—you saved us both."
Pia looked at the ring, then up at Marcus, tears of happiness welling in her eyes, spilling over her lashes down her cheeks.
"Pia McKenzie," Marcus whispered softly, leaning his forehead against hers. "Will you stay with us forever?"
Pia didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down into a deep, passionate kiss that held all the promises of the years ahead.
"Yes," she whispered against his lips, her voice breaking with joy. "Yes, Marcus. Always."
A few yards away, Ben stopped running. He looked over at them, holding his puppy by its collar, his hazel eyes wide.
"Pia! Daddy!" Ben called out, running over to them as fast as his small legs could carry him. "Are we hugging?"
Marcus pulled back from the kiss, laughing softly. He reached down with one arm, scooping Ben off the grass, while keeping his other arm tightly wrapped around Pia’s waist.
May you like
Together, the three of them stood in the bright spring sunshine of Vlysse, wrapped in a single, tight embrace—no hidden cameras, no rigid rules, no cold walls of isolation remaining.
Just a family, finally home.
