Chapter 8 - A New Declaration
Three months later.
Winter had transformed Chicago into a world of white marble and glittering frost.
The grand ballroom of the Cross estate—a room that had once held dark syndicate meetings and silent, tense negotiations—was bathed in the golden light of three crystal chandeliers.
Over two hundred guests filled the room.
There were no rival bosses, no masked guards, no armed lieutenants hovering in the corners. Instead, the room was filled with the families of the estate’s employees—dockworkers, drivers, housekeepers, cooks, and security personnel—alongside legitimate business leaders, city council members, and children running happily across the polished parquet floor.
At the front of the ballroom stood a breathtaking six-tier ice sculpture of a rose, surrounding a silver fountain flowing with sparkling cider.
Damian stood near the grand fireplace, wearing a immaculate black tuxedo. Beside him stood Victor Vance, fully recovered, looking handsome and proud in a matching dark suit, his arm wrapped around his son, Leo, who was now working as a junior accountant for the Cross Foundation.
Marcus tapped a silver spoon against a crystal champagne flute.
The room gradually quieted, all eyes turning toward the wide marble staircase at the back of the ballroom.
A soft string quartet began to play a gentle, beautiful melody.
Hannah Reed stepped onto the top of the staircase.
A collective gasp went up from the guests.
Hannah looked magnificent. She wore an off-the-shoulder gown of deep emerald velvet that draped gracefully to the floor, her dark hair styled in an elegant chignon adorned with small diamond pins. Beside her stood four-year-old Ellie, wearing a fluffy white dress with a emerald silk sash, carrying a small basket filled with white rose petals.
Damian stood completely frozen at the hearth.
In all his years, through all his victories, he had never seen a sight that made his heart beat with such wild, uncontrollable joy.
Hannah walked down the stairs, her hand resting lightly on the carved wooden railing, her eyes locked entirely onto Damian’s face. When she reached the floor, Damian stepped forward, meeting her halfway across the room.
He took her hand, lifting it to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently.
“You are breathtaking,” Damian whispered.
Hannah flushed softly, her eyes beaming. “You don't look so bad yourself, Mr. Cross.”
Damian turned to face the crowded room, holding Hannah’s hand tightly in his left, while reaching down with his right to lift Ellie into his arm.
The crowd erupted into warm, thunderous applause.
Damian raised his glass, gesturing for quiet.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight,” Damian began, his deep voice carrying easily across the grand hall. “For many years, this house was known as a place of power. A place of fear. A place where decisions were made in the dark.”
He looked down at Ellie, who was giggling as she placed a white rose petal on top of his head, then looked back at Hannah.
“Four months ago,” Damian continued, his tone rich with emotion, “a three-year-old girl walked into my shoe room at midnight to finish her mother’s work. She showed me that true strength isn't found in the guns we carry or the money we hoard. It is found in the love we hold for our families.”
Damian set Ellie down gently on the floor. He stepped back, reaching into his tuxedo coat, and pulled out a small velvet box.
He dropped to one knee before Hannah Reed.
The entire ballroom held its breath.
Damian opened the velvet box, revealing a magnificent solitaire diamond ring that caught the light of the crystal chandeliers, dazzling in bright, prismatic colors.
“Hannah Reed,” Damian said, his voice ringing loud and clear. “You brought warmth into these cold halls. You brought laughter back into my life. Will you make me the happiest man in this city, and do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Hannah covered her mouth with both hands, tears spilling over her eyelashes like liquid diamonds.
“Yes!” Hannah cried out, her voice breaking with pure joy. “Yes, Damian! A thousand times yes!”
May you like
Damian slid the ring onto her finger, stood up, and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply as the entire ballroom exploded into wild cheering, applause, and tears of joy.
Ellie jumped up and down, clapping her tiny hands frantically. “Mama is going to be a princess! Mama is going to be a princess!”
