My hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped the pregnancy test onto the bathroom floor, because those two pink lines didn’t just mean I was pregnant. They meant I was carrying the child of Alessandro Vitali, one of the richest and most powerful billionaires in Chicago, and if he discovered the truth, I had no idea whether he would protect me or destroy me.

Seven months later.

The summer sun reflected off the crystal waters of Lake Michigan, casting a warm golden glow across the private gardens of the Lake Forest estate.

The estate had changed drastically over the last half-year. The cold, intimidating atmosphere had been replaced by life, warmth, and laughter. The grand library now featured cozy armchairs, medical journals, and baby toys neatly stored in wooden baskets.

Liam Carter was sitting on the terrace, dressed in a comfortable polo shirt, drinking a cup of dark roast coffee. After the fall of Senator Sterling and the public clearing of my father’s name, Alessandro had fully funded a state-of-the-art emergency medical wing at the Chicago hospital where Liam worked, naming Liam as its chief paramedic liaison.

"He's asleep," Liam whispered with a smile as I walked out onto the terrace.

In my arms, wrapped in a soft blue cashmere blanket, was three-week-old Leo Richard Vitali. He had my dark hair and his father's striking amber eyes.

"He takes after his father," I said softly, sitting down in the chair beside Liam, looking down at my sleeping son. "He sleeps two hours a night and demands attention the moment he wakes up."

Liam chuckled softly, looking at me with genuine warmth. "You look happy, Em—sorry, Elizabeth."

"You can still call me Em," I smiled, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "I'll always be Em to you."

Footsteps echoed against the stone terrace, and Alessandro walked out from the house.

He had discarded his corporate suit jacket, wearing a relaxed white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He walked over to my chair, leaning down to press a soft kiss against my lips before looking down at our sleeping son.

His hand rested gently on my shoulder, his long fingers stroking my neck with familiar tenderness.

"The board meeting is finished," Alessandro murmured softly. "The new community land trust in the West Loop was officially approved this morning. The land your father protected is now a public park named in his honor."

Tears of pure happiness welled in my eyes. I looked up at Alessandro, my heart overflowing with love for this complicated, fierce, and deeply devoted man who had rebuilt his entire world just to keep me safe.

"Thank you, Alessandro," I whispered.

"No," he replied quietly, leaning down to kiss my forehead. "Thank you, my love. For picking up that glass of champagne."

As the afternoon sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of violet and gold, a soft, warm light clicked on automatically above the grand terrace entrance.

I looked up at the light, then looked at my husband and my son.