Chapter 9 - The Final Debt
Six months after the proposal, a small, elegant ceremony was held in the private chapel on the Lake Forest estate.
There were no media cameras, no grand political figures—only close friends, loyal staff like Leo and Elena, and the people who truly mattered. Sarah looked breathtaking in a simple lace wedding gown, while Vincent stood at the altar looking imposing yet strikingly handsome in a black tuxedo.
Rory served as the flower girl, walking down the aisle with immense seriousness, dropping yellow rose petals on the white runner.
When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, Vincent lifted Sarah’s veil and kissed her with a deep, passionate promise of forever.
At the reception in the grand ballroom, music played softly while guests danced and celebrated.
Late in the evening, Vincent walked out onto the stone terrace overlooking the lake. He stood alone in the cool night air, sipping his glass of scotch, looking out at the calm water.
A pair of small footsteps crunched against the stone.
Rory walked out onto the terrace, holding her small wooden coloring box under her arm. She walked right up beside Vincent, leaning her arms against the stone balustrade, looking up at the stars.
"Mr. Vincent?" she asked softly.
Vincent set his glass aside and crouched down so he was at eye level with her. "Yes, Rory?"
"Are you my dad now?" she asked, her big blue eyes searching his face with total innocence.
Vincent felt a lump form in his throat—a feeling completely foreign to a man who had spent his life hardened by the streets. He reached out, gently taking her small hand in his large palm.
"Only if you want me to be, Rory," Vincent said softly. "I can never replace your father who is in heaven. But I promise you, as long as I draw breath on this earth, I will protect you, I will love you, and I will be here whenever you need me."
Rory smiled—a bright, beautiful smile that lit up the dark night. She reached into her pocket, pulled out a folded piece of paper, and handed it to him.
"I made a new list for you," she said proudly.
Vincent unfolded the paper carefully.
It was a drawing of the three of them—Vincent, Sarah, and Rory—standing together in front of the estate. But instead of purple stars denoting missed meals, Rory had drawn seven golden stars across the top of the page.
At the bottom, written in neat child's handwriting, was a short message:
0 days unpaid. 0 nights hungry. Total owed: Everything.
May you like
Vincent looked at the paper, feeling a rare, warm tear slip down his cheek. He folded the paper gently, placing it into the inside pocket of his tuxedo, right over his heart.
"Debt cleared, Rory," Vincent whispered, pulling her into a warm, fatherly embrace. "Debt cleared."
