Chapter 9 - The Final Settlement
Six months later, the divorce and intellectual property settlement was finalized in a high court in Manhattan.
Dominic surrendered sixty percent of Caruso Design Group’s equity to Nora as compensation for stolen intellectual property and damages. The company was officially rebranded under the Bennett-Caruso Creative Umbrella, with Nora serving as the sole Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director.
Under the court’s strict agreement, Dominic was granted alternate weekend visitation with Eli, supervised by a child psychologist until Eli felt entirely comfortable.
On a sunny Saturday morning, Dominic arrived at the townhouse in Brooklyn where Nora and Eli now lived. He stood on the front porch, holding a small toy box.
The door opened. Nora stood there, dressed in a comfortable cashmere sweater and jeans. She looked healthy, radiant, and entirely at peace.
"Hi," Dominic said quietly.
"He’s in the living room," Nora said, stepping aside to let him enter the foyer. "He’s excited to show you his new drawing book."
Dominic stepped inside, lingering near the doorway. He looked at Nora, realizing that the quiet, submissive woman he had taken for granted was now one of the most powerful figures in global fashion—a woman who had reclaimed her life, her name, and her dignity entirely on her own terms.
"Thank you, Nora," Dominic said softly. "For letting me see him."
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"He loves his father, Dominic," Nora replied calmly. "I will never take that from him. But you need to teach him how to treat people with respect. Don't let him grow up thinking power gives him the right to hurt others."
Dominic nodded, his throat tight with unspoken regret. "I won't. I promise."
