Chapter 10 - The Sanctuary of Light
Three months later.
The Valmont mansion in Chicago was no longer cold.
The thermostat was set to a comfortable seventy-two degrees. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, illuminating warm hardwood floors, colorful rugs, and fresh flowers arranged in every room. The sterile, silent tomb had finally become a home.
In the grand kitchen, the morning sun was just beginning to hit the marble counter.
Iris stood near the stove, wearing an oversized wool sweater over leggings, pouring two cups of freshly brewed coffee. She smiled to herself, listening to the quiet, steady footsteps coming down the stairs.
Nicholas walked into the kitchen. He wasn't wearing a suit or a tie. He wore simple jeans and a soft gray shirt, looking healthy, vibrant, and happier than he had ever been in his entire life.
He walked straight up behind Iris, wrapping his broad arms around her waist, pulling her back against his chest, pressing his lips against the soft curve of her neck.
"Good morning, Mrs. Valmont," he murmured against her skin.
"Good morning, Mr. Valmont," Iris giggled, turning around in his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck. She looked up into his dark, beautiful eyes. "You're late. It's seven-fifteen."
"I was busy," Nicholas smiled, leaning down to kiss her sweet, warm lips. "Busy thanking God every morning that I wake up next to you."
Iris rested her forehead against his chest, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. The heart that had almost stopped, the heart that now beat only for her.
"What are your plans today, Boss?" Iris teased gently.
"Well," Nicholas said, stroking her back gently. "First, I'm going to drink this coffee with my wife. Then, we are going to drive down to the new children's foundation we built in the city. And tonight... I'm going to cook dinner for you."
Iris raised an eyebrow, laughing. "You? Cook?"
"I'm learning," Nicholas boasted playfully, pulling her closer. "I have the best teacher in the world."
May you like
They stood together in the sunlit kitchen, holding each other tightly as the morning noise of Chicago buzzed softly outside. The mansion was no longer a cage built of wealth and solitude. It was a sanctuary of love, warmth, and a second chance at life—a home built by a dying billionaire and the maid who chose to stay.
The End
