Chapter 116 - Restoration
Summer returned to Chicago, dressing the city in vibrant green and gold.
Sterling-Vance Enterprises was completely restructured. Ethan and I officially locked seventy percent of our corporate shares into an unbreakable, family-controlled ethical trust, guaranteeing that no hostile takeover or shadow contract could ever threaten our company or our children again.
Marcus was named permanent Chief Executive Officer, while Veronica joined our global charitable foundation as the director of international child protection initiatives.
Our Chicago estate was filled with life once again. We spent long, sun-drenched afternoons playing in the pool with Noah and Sophie, hosting outdoor barbecues for Marcus, Lily, and our loyal security team who had bled for our survival.
One evening, as the sun dipped low over Lake Michigan, painting the sky in deep shades of violet and rose, Ethan and I walked hand-in-hand along the sandy beach.
"Look at them," Ethan murmured, pointing toward the lawn where Noah, Sophie, and Lily were flying a giant colorful kite, their bright laughter echoing over the water.
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"We did it, Ethan," I whispered, resting my head against his chest, listening to the steady, strong rhythm of his heartbeat. "We protected our home."
Ethan pulled me around, his sharp blue eyes looking down into mine with a love so deep it touched the very depths of my soul. "You protected me, Victoria. You always have."
