She had barely enough money to pay her rent, but when she saw a pregnant woman being attacked in the rain, she risked everything to save her.

While Sadie’s Place prepared for its official launch, the legal aftermath of Trent Vance’s arrest reached its climax.

Federal prosecutors in Chicago had compiled a massive indictment against the Vance family, utilizing testimony provided by Chloe and security footage recovered from the diner.

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Dominic and I sat in his private study at the estate, reviewing the legal documentation provided by his chief attorney.

"Trent Vance will be sentenced to twenty years without parole," the attorney explained, closing his leather briefcase. "His uncle Marco’s assets have been completely seized by federal authorities in Europe. The Vance family no longer exists as a functional organization."

Dominic nodded approvingly. "Good. Make sure Chloe’s name is completely scrubbed from the public trial documents."

"Already handled, Don Costa," the attorney said with a bow, exiting the room.

Once we were alone, Dominic stood up from his desk and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the rain-drenched gardens.

"Are you thinking about that night?" I asked quietly, walking over to stand behind him.

Dominic turned around, pulling me gently into his arms, resting his chin on top of my head.

"I'm thinking about how close I came to losing everything," Dominic murmured softly. "If you hadn't been working that night... if you hadn't stepped outside with that flashlight... my sister and my nephew would be gone."

"Fate works in strange ways, Dominic," I smiled, looking up into his dark eyes. "I thought I was just trying to survive my shift."

"You were a guardian angel in a waitress apron," Dominic whispered, his hands cradling my waist.

"I'm no angel," I laughed softly. "I broke a man's knee."

Dominic chuckled—a rich, rare sound that warmed my heart completely. "And that, my dear Sadie, is precisely why I fell in love with you."

I froze, looking up at him, my breath catching in my throat.

It was the first time he had said those words aloud.

Dominic looked down at me, his dark eyes filled with an intense, unshakeable devotion that eliminated every doubt in my mind.

"I love you, Sadie," Dominic said, his deep voice thick with emotion. "I loved you the moment I saw you standing in that diner holding a blood-stained flashlight, refusing to bow to a monster."