The room felt as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of it in a single second. The rhythmic, rhythmic thump-thump, thump-thump of the baby's heartbeat on Dr. Miller's ultrasound machine was the only sound echoing through the sterile examination room.

One year later.

The summer sun shone brightly over the grounds of the Russo estate. The rose gardens were in full bloom, filled with the sweet scent of flowers and the refreshing breeze from Lake Michigan.

On the manicured lawn, a large white blanket was spread out under the shade of an old oak tree.

Little Alexander—now a chubby, energetic seventeen-month-old toddler with broad shoulders and bright, intelligent dark eyes—was crawling across the grass, giggling uncontrollably as he chased a golden retriever puppy.

I sat on the blanket, wearing a light summer sun dress, sipping fresh lemonade while watching my family.

Dominic, dressed casually in a linen shirt and dark trousers, was down on his hands and knees on the grass, chasing Alexander and letting our son "knock him over" with squeals of toddler delight.

Seeing the most feared man in Chicago lying on his back in the grass, letting a toddler jump on his chest while laughing freely, brought a warmth to my heart that words couldn't describe.

Dominic lifted Alexander up into the air, making him roar with laughter before setting him down with the puppy. He then stood up, walked over to the blanket, and sat down beside me, wrapping a broad arm around my waist and pulling me against his side.

"What are you thinking about, Mrs. Russo?" Dominic asked softly, kissing my cheek.

"I was thinking about that rainy day at the café," I smiled, leaning my head against his shoulder. "When Derek called me fat, and I thought my life was over."

Dominic chuckled darkly. "Speaking of Derek... Marco told me yesterday that he's currently working as a mid-level night-shift manager at a warehouse in Indiana. He lives in a tiny studio apartment."

"I don't care about Derek," I said, looking over at Alexander, who was now trying to pick up a big dandelion. "His cruelty was the best thing that ever happened to me. It brought me to you."

Dominic turned my face toward his, looking into my eyes with a love so deep and fierce it took my breath away.

"You gave me a real home, Chloe," Dominic whispered gently. "Before you and Alexander, I owned a city, but I had nothing. Now... I have everything."