The silence inside the grand ballroom of the Bellaforte estate was so heavy that the quiet hum of the crystal chandeliers seemed deafening

For two agonizing hours, the gunfire outside the safe room raged, slowly tapering off until a eerie, terrifying silence fell over the mansion.

Inside the panic room, the air was thick with suspense. Damian was resting against the wall, his shoulder bound and stabilized. Tami held Julian close, while Nico and Gabriel stood near the heavy steel door, listening for any sign of movement.

Suddenly, the mechanical lock on the outside of the heavy door began to turn.

Nico raised a heavy steel pipe, his knuckles white with tension.

The door hissed open, swinging wide.

Standing in the doorway was Mars. His expensive suit was torn, stained with dirt and blood that wasn't his own. His hair was messy, his breath ragged, and his eyes were frantic as he searched the room. Behind him stood a dozens of loyal Bellaforte soldiers, securing the hallway.

The moment Mars saw Tami sitting on the floor, holding Julian, his eyes softened, and he dropped his bloody weapon to the floor.

"Dad!" Gabriel cried out.

Mars rushed into the room, falling to his knees before Tami. He pulled her and Julian into his massive arms, burying his face in Tami’s neck, his breathing heavy and ragged.

"Thank God," Mars rasped, his voice trembling—a sound none of his sons had ever heard from the formidable Don before. "Thank God you're safe."

"Mars... your arm... the boys..." Tami whispered, tears finally slipping down her cheeks as the adrenaline wore off.

"The boys are safe. Moretti is dead," Mars declared coldly. "His men have been eliminated. It’s over, Tami. The war is over."

Mars pulled back, his eyes catching sight of the blood soaked into Tami’s dress sleeve. His face instantly turned to stone. "You're hurt."

"It’s just a graze," Tami insisted, but Mars was already scooping her up into his arms, lifting her effortlessly despite her full figure.

"Mars! Put me down, I can walk!" she flushed, looking around at the soldiers.

"You took a bullet protecting my sons," Mars said fiercely, his voice filled with an overwhelming blend of rage at her attacker and intense love for her. "I am carrying you for the rest of your life if I have to."

Damian stood up, supported by Nico. "Dad... she tackled Vane. She saved Gabriel's life."

Mars looked at Tami, his heart swelling with an emotion so profound it nearly brought him to his knees. He turned to his men. "Get the medical team here now! Clean up this house! I want every trace of this filth removed!"

Over the next few weeks, the Bellaforte estate underwent a transformation. The dark, gloomy hallways were flooded with light. Seraphina was permanently exiled, her assets seized, while the Moretti family crumbled without leadership, their remaining soldiers swearing allegiance to Mars.

The Bellaforte family was finally whole again.

Six months later, the estate’s grand courtyard was transformed into a paradise of white roses and shimmering fairy lights.

Over three hundred guests were gathered—not for a business gala or a syndicate display of power, but for a celebration of love.

Inside the main bridal suite, Tami stood before a full-length mirror. She wore a custom-made, off-the-shoulder gown of ivory lace that hugged her gorgeous curves perfectly, cascading down into a stunning train. Her brown hair fell in soft ringlets, adorned with delicate white flowers.

There was a soft knock at the door, and the four Bellaforte boys stepped inside. All four were dressed in matching black tuxedos, looking handsome and proud.

"You look beautiful, Tami," Gabriel said softly, tears welling in his eyes.

"You look like a queen," Damian said, walking up to her and handing her a bouquet of fresh white roses. "We wanted to give you this before our dad comes in and claims all your attention."

Little Julian ran up and hugged her waist. "Are you really going to be our mom now?"

Tami knelt down, despite her grand dress, and wrapped her arms around all four boys. "I’ve been your mom in my heart for a long time, Julian. Now it’s just official."

Nico smiled warmly. "Dad’s waiting at the altar. He looks like he’s about to faint from impatience."

They laughed together, a bright, joyous sound that filled the room.

When the heavy doors at the back of the garden opened, the soft classical music began to play. Tami walked down the aisle on the arms of Damian and Nico, her heart overflowing with happiness.

At the end of the aisle stood Mars. He looked breathtakingly handsome in his custom dark velvet tuxedo. When his eyes met hers, the usually stoic, terrifying Mafia Don shed a single, quiet tear of absolute devotion.

When she reached the altar, Mars took her hands in his. His grip was warm, steady, and full of unspoken promises.

The priest spoke the sacred words, but for Mars and Tami, the rest of the world faded away.

"Do you, Mars Bellaforte, take Temperance Ashkam to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until death do you part?"

Mars looked deep into Tami's eyes, his voice rich and unwavering. "I do. I promise to love you, honor you, and protect you with my life, my soul, and everything I own."

"And do you, Temperance Ashkam, take Mars Bellaforte to be your wedded husband?"

Tami smiled softly, tears of joy sparkling in her eyes. "I do. With all my heart."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Mars didn't wait a single second. He pulled Tami into his arms, lifting her slightly as he pressed his lips to hers in a deep, passionate kiss that brought cheers and applause echoing across the grand courtyard.

The four boys cheered louder than anyone, waving their hands as the family gathered around the newly married couple.

That night, under a sky full of bright stars, Mars led Tami out onto the balcony of their private quarters, overlooking the peaceful gardens below. He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her plush back against his broad chest, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Look at them," Mars whispered softly, pointing down to the garden where Damian, Nico, Gabriel, and Julian were laughing and dancing together with the guests. "You did that, Tami. You brought light back into this darkness."

Tami rested her hands over his, feeling the warmth of his wedding ring against hers.

"We did it together, Mars," she murmured, turning her head to kiss his jaw. "We gave them a home again."

Mars turned her in his arms, looking down at his beautiful, brave, plus-sized queen—the woman who had healed his broken sons, stood up to his enemies, and captured his hardened heart forever.