Chapter 10 - The Only Sound
Six months later.
The Westchester estate was no longer a cold, dark fortress.
The high iron gates remained, and the security was tighter than ever, but the atmosphere inside the massive stone mansion had transformed completely.
Flowers filled the vases in every room. The heavy, dark curtains had been pulled back to let the warm sunlight flood the high-ceilinged corridors. The staff moved through the halls with easy smiles, no longer walking on eggshells.
And music—rich, vibrant, soul-filled music—echoed through the house every single day.
On a bright Sunday afternoon, the grand formal parlor was filled with warm sunlight.
Dominic sat in a plush armchair near the window, dressed in a comfortable linen shirt and dark trousers. He had a stack of business documents resting on his lap, but he wasn't reading them.
He was watching his wife.
Ruby was standing near the grand piano, wearing a stunning yellow sundress that complemented her rich skin and glorious curves.
She was eight months pregnant, her round, beautiful baby belly pushing proudly against the soft cotton fabric of her dress.
She was holding a wooden spoon, using it as a microphone as she sang a sweet, upbeat lullaby to the baby, swaying her full hips softly to the music playing from her phone.
Dominic watched her with a quiet, profound contentment resting deep in his chest.
The shadow of his past, the violence of his world, the cold silence that had defined his life for nearly four decades—it had all been washed away by the woman standing in front of him.
Ruby turned, noticing him staring at her.
She lowered the wooden spoon, smiling warmly as she walked over to his chair. "What are you looking at, Mr. Vale?"
"At my home," Dominic said softly, reaching out to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her down onto his lap.
Ruby rested comfortably against his broad chest, her head resting on his shoulder, one of her hands resting over his heavy hand on her baby bump.
"The baby was kicking during the chorus," she whispered affectionately. "I think she likes Motown."
"She has good taste," Dominic murmured, leaning in to press a deep, tender kiss against her temple.
From the hallway, Marcus walked past the open parlor doors, holding a clipboard. He paused, glanced inside, saw Dominic resting his chin lovingly on Ruby’s head while she hummed a soft tune, and offered a brief, respectful nod.
"Security report is clear for the week, boss," Marcus said quietly.
"Thank you, Marcus," Dominic replied without looking away from his wife.
Marcus smiled, turning to walk down the hall.
Ruby looked up into Dominic’s dark, handsome face, her hazel eyes filled with warm, boundless love. "Do you remember the day we met? You looked like you wanted to execute me on the spot for singing."
Dominic smiled—a broad, breathtaking smile that transformed his entire face, bringing a bright, handsome light into his dark eyes.
"I was terrified," Dominic admitted softly, leaning down until his lips were resting against hers.
"Terrified of a maid with a feather duster?" she teased gently.
"Terrified," Dominic whispered against her mouth, "that if you stopped singing, I would have to go back to the quiet."
Ruby smiled, pressing her lips to his, sealing her promise with a sweet, lingering kiss.
May you like
"I'm never going to stop," she promised softly against his skin.
And as the sun set over the green hills of Westchester, filling the grand mansion with golden light, the house was filled with warmth, love, and the only sound Dominic Vale ever wanted to hear.
