Chapter 10 - The Riviera Dawn
One year later.
The Mediterranean sun cast a brilliant, golden light across the blue waters of the French Riviera. A soft, warm breeze carried the scent of lavender and salt air through the open terrace doors of the private cliffside villa in Cap d'Antibes.
I stood on the marble balcony, wearing a white silk robe, holding a cup of hot chamomile tea.
The view was breathtaking—cliffs plunging into the turquoise sea below, private yachts gliding across the horizon, and the distant peaks of the Alps framed by a cloudless sky.
My life had transformed completely over the last twelve months.
Our wedding in the Riviera six months ago had been a fairytale—a private, magnificent celebration surrounded by true friends, including Sloan, who was now managing the Sterling Charitable Foundation.
The Vance family had been sentenced to federal prison, their names erased from Manhattan society, their assets liquidated to pay off their corporate victims.
Footsteps rustled softly behind me on the bedroom carpet.
Two strong, warm arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling my back flush against a broad, hard chest. Richard rested his chin on my shoulder, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the side of my neck.
"Good morning, my sweet wife," Richard murmured, his deep voice vibrating warmly against my spine.
"Good morning, my love," I smiled, leaning my head back against his chest, placing my hand over his broad fingers resting at my waist.
Richard’s hand slipped lower, gently resting against my stomach, where a subtle, soft swell was just beginning to show beneath the silk fabric of my robe.
His thumb lightly stroked my abdomen, his grey eyes shining with a deep, reverent wonder that brought a warm flush to my cheeks.
"How are you feeling today?" Richard asked softly, his tone filled with protective tenderness. "No morning sickness?"
"I feel wonderful, Richard," I laughed softly, turning around in his arms to wrap my hands around his neck, looking up into his handsome, beaming face. "Dr. Laurent checked us yesterday. The baby is healthy and growing strong."
Richard looked down at me, his slate-gray eyes filled with an absolute, overwhelming love that made my heart overflow with joy.
He leaned down, pressing his lips to mine in a slow, sweet, possessive kiss that tasted of morning coffee and everlasting devotion.
"Your father would be so proud of you, Daphne," Richard whispered against my lips, his hand resting securely over my pregnant stomach. "He would be so happy to see the extraordinary woman you've become."
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"He knew what he was doing when he brought you into my life," I replied softly, my fingers running through the silver threads at his temples. "He gave me a guardian... but I found my soulmate."
Richard smiled—a brilliant, radiant smile that warmed the entire world around us—and pulled me closer against his heart as the golden sun rose higher over the French Riviera, illuminating a future filled with infinite love, safety, and an unbreakable legacy.
