Chapter 10 - The Red Horizon
That evening, the annual Chicago Maritime Gala was held at the same lakefront hotel where their story had exploded three months ago.
Three hundred guests filled the crystal-lit ballroom. Shipping magnates, politicians, and socialites chatted over champagne.
When the music paused at the bottom of the grand staircase, the room went quiet once more.
Cecilia stepped onto the landing.
She wore a new gown—a radiant, shimmering ruby silk that flowed over her full hips and curved bodice like liquid fire. She didn't pause. She didn't look down. She walked down the marble steps with absolute, breathtaking grace, her dark eyes fixed entirely on the tall, broad-shouldered man waiting for her at the bottom.
Dallas stood at the foot of the stairs, looking at her as if she were the only star in the night sky.
He extended his arm.
Cecilia took it, leaning close to whisper into his ear as the crowd parted around them in silent admiration.
"Are you going to tell every man in this room to stop staring tonight?" she teased softly.
Dallas looked down at his beautiful, radiant wife, a dark, triumphant smile spreading across his face.
May you like
"No," Dallas whispered, pulling her flush against his side as they stepped onto the dance floor together. "Let them stare. Let them see what happens when a queen finally takes her throne."
And as the orchestra began to play, Dallas pulled Cecilia into his arms, spinning her through the light, completely lost in a love that had burned away the darkness forever.
