Chapter 10 - The Full House
One year later.
Spring had arrived in River Forest.
The gardens surrounding the Costa estate were blooming with brilliant white roses, vibrant purple tulips, and fresh green ivy creeping up the dark brick walls.
The heavy iron gates sat wide open, allowing the warm afternoon breeze to flow through the courtyard.
In the backyard, a long wooden dining table was set for twelve beneath a canopy of oak trees.
Six-year-old Mia was running across the green lawn, holding a bright yellow kite, her dark curls flying in the wind, laughing loudly as fifteen-year-old Sophia chased after her with a camera, capturing every second.
Near the patio, seventeen-year-old Leo sat with Julian, helping him build a complex model airplane, their heads bent together in easy, joyful conversation.
There were no security guards standing in sight. There were no encrypted tablet warnings. There was only the bright, warm sound of a real family living in complete peace.
I stood near the glass patio doors, wearing a soft cream sundress, holding two cold glasses of fresh lemonade.
A pair of strong, warm arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
Arthur rested his chin gently on my shoulder, his broad chest pressed against my back, his dark eyes watching his four children playing on the lawn.
"They look happy," Arthur whispered, his lips pressing a soft kiss against the side of my neck.
"They are happy," I corrected softly, turning slightly in his arms to look up into his dark, handsome face.
Arthur looked down at me, his eyes filled with a deep, profound devotion that still took my breath away every single day.
"You saved this house, Norah," Arthur said, his long fingers gently tracing the line of my jaw. "You saved my children. You saved me."
"We saved each other, Arthur," I smiled, reaching up to gently touch his cheek.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small velvet box, and opened it.
Inside sat a stunning platinum band set with four emerald-cut diamonds—one for each of his children—surrounding a single, brilliant clear solitaire in the center.
"What's this?" I asked, my breath catching in my throat.
"A new contract," Arthur whispered, taking the old simple ring from my finger and replacing it with the new, brilliant ring. "No reserve prices. No debt settlements. Just a promise that you will be my wife, my partner, and the queen of this house for the rest of our lives."
I looked down at the ring, then up into the eyes of the man who had given me the first real choice of my life.
"I accept your terms, Mr. Costa," I murmured, leaning up on my toes.
Arthur pulled me close, his lips meeting mine in a long, sweet, passionate kiss that sealed our future under the warm spring sun.
Across the lawn, Mia’s bright laughter echoed through the garden, calling for us to join them.
May you like
And as Arthur held my hand, leading me out onto the green grass toward our children, I knew that I was no longer the unwanted daughter sold at an auction.
I was home.
