Chapter 10 - The Sovereign of Ravensport
Five years later.
The sun was setting over the coastal cliffs of Villa Vale, painting the sky in breathtaking shades of deep violet, gold, and crimson.
The grand terrace was quiet, filled with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine and the cool, refreshing breeze from the ocean below.
On a comfortable velvet sofa near the outdoor fireplace sat Claire. At thirty-one, she was more stunning than ever, her lush curves dressed in a flowing silk gown, her dark hair soft and loose around her shoulders. In her arms, she held a sleeping three-month-old baby girl with dark hair and bright gray eyes—their daughter, Bella.
Playing near the edge of the manicured lawn was their four-year-old son, Leo, who was running around with a wooden toy boat, laughing loudly as Marco—now the estate’s fiercely devoted head of family security—cheered him on.
Footsteps sounded softly on the marble floor.
Dominic walked out onto the terrace. He had changed out of his work suit into a soft sweater and trousers. Silver touched his temples now, giving him an even more distinguished, noble appearance. He walked over to the sofa, sitting down beside Claire, wrapping his broad arm around her shoulders.
He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss against his sleeping daughter’s head, before resting his forehead against Claire’s.
"Is she asleep?" Dominic whispered warmly.
"Finally," Claire smiled softly, looking down at the baby. "She has your stubbornness, Dominic. She refused to close her eyes until I sang to her three times."
Dominic chuckled softly, his fingers stroking Claire’s cheek, his dark eyes filled with endless, quiet devotion.
"She has her mother’s beauty," Dominic murmured. "That is all that matters."
They sat together in comfortable, peaceful silence, watching their son play on the lawn as the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky above the ocean.
Claire rested her head against Dominic’s broad, strong chest, listening to the steady, calm beat of his heart. She looked down at her hand resting on his knee—the three-carat yellow diamond ring glittering in the firelight.
She remembered the broken, terrified girl who had walked into the dining room five years ago, wearing a high-collared uniform to hide her bruises, begging the universe to let her remain invisible.
And then she looked at the life she had built beside the man who had refused to let her hide.
"What are you thinking about, my queen?" Dominic asked softly, his lips brushing her temple.
Claire looked up at him, a radiant, eternal smile lighting up her beautiful face.
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"I was thinking that I used to be terrified of the dark," Claire whispered, her hand moving up to cover his on her shoulder. "But then I found the King of Ravensport... and he brought me into the light."
Dominic smiled, leaning down to kiss her deeply, softly, under the warm canopy of stars—a kiss that held no pain, no fear, and no shadows, only the infinite, unbreakable promise of forever.
