Chapter 10 - The Sovereign Family
One year later.
The Alden estate in Chicago was illuminated by warm golden lights on a clear autumn evening.
In the grand dining room, a festive family dinner was underway. Corvin sat at the far end of the table, laughing as he showed Eli how to carve a roast turkey. The household staff worked in relaxed harmony, and the heavy, paranoid atmosphere that had once governed the estate was completely gone.
Marina sat at the head of the table, dressed in a gorgeous sapphire blue dress, sipping a glass of fine red wine.
Theo sat right beside her. He had returned to the company, not as an autocratic mob boss, but as the Chief Operating Officer under Marina’s executive chairmanship. Together, they had transformed Alden Logistics into a completely legitimate, highly respected global supply enterprise.
Dante, the head of their new security detail, walked into the dining room quietly, leaning down to whisper in Marina’s ear.
“Mrs. Alden,” Dante said respectfully. “The final audit from the federal authorities came through. The Vance estate liquidation is complete, and all remaining port access permits have been permanently cleared in your name.”
Marina smiled warmly, nodding. “Thank you, Dante. Enjoy the evening with the staff.”
Theo reached under the table, finding Marina’s hand and weaving his fingers through hers. He looked over at his wife, his dark eyes filled with endless admiration and peace.
“What are you thinking about?” Theo asked softly.
Marina looked across the long table at their son, who was laughing heartily with his uncle, his eyes bright and full of innocent joy. Then she looked down at their joined hands, feeling the solid weight of their wedding rings touching.
“I’m thinking,” Marina whispered, leaning over to kiss his cheek softly, “that sometimes a family has to go through the fire just to burn away everything that wasn't real.”
Theo smiled, pulling her hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles.
“To the queen,” Theo toasted softly, raising his glass into the candlelight.
May you like
“To our family,” Marina replied.
And as the quiet laughter of their home echoed through the warm rooms of the estate, Theodore and Marina Alden knew that no storm, no enemy, and no lie would ever break their bond again.
