Chapter 10 - The Boss’s Vow
One year later.
The summer sun shone brilliantly over the lakefront grounds of the Alfieri estate.
The dark, imposing iron gates that used to keep the world out were now propped open, adorned with bright white banners and fresh summer flowers. The grand lawn, once silent and cold, was filled with the sounds of children laughing and music playing.
It was Wes’s eighth birthday, and the entire estate had been transformed into an epic outdoor carnival, complete with a carousel, a miniature race track, and endless ice cream stations.
Wes, completely healthy and full of boundless energy, was racing down the grass in a motorized toy car, chased by Santino and three smiling security guards who had willingly given up their tough facades to act as pit crew.
On the grand stone patio overlooking the blue waters of Lake Michigan, a long table was laid with fine food, fresh lemonade, and white summer roses.
Adeline stood by the stone railing, wearing a simple, breathtaking yellow sundress that caught the gentle lake breeze. Her brown hair fell in soft, radiant waves over her shoulders, her skin glowing with health, peace, and happiness.
A pair of strong arms wrapped securely around her waist from behind.
Nico pulled her back against his broad chest, resting his chin on her shoulder as they watched Wes score a goal on the lawn below.
“He’s getting too fast,” Nico chuckled softly in her ear. “Santino’s going to need a cardio workout if he wants to keep up with him.”
Adeline turned around in his arms, smiling up at her husband’s handsome, untroubled face.
“You gave him his life, Nico,” she said, resting her hands against his linen shirt. “Look at him. He’s just a normal, happy boy now.”
“And you?” Nico asked softly, his dark eyes searching hers with unshakeable tenderness. “Are you happy, Nurse Marsh?”
“I’m the happiest woman alive,” Adeline answered truthfully.
Nico reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
Adeline’s eyes widened slightly. “Nico... you already gave me a ring when we married at the courthouse six months ago.”
“That was a legal necessity to protect you and Wes,” Nico said softly, opening the velvet box to reveal a magnificent, cushion-cut pink diamond set on a band of polished platinum. “Today, I want to give you a real vow. In front of our family. In front of the sun.”
He dropped to one knee on the sunny stone patio.
He held up the sparkling ring, his dark eyes burning with pure, unadulterated love.
“Adeline Marsh,” Nico said, his voice deep and steady. “You walked into my house when I was a broken, bitter man waiting to die in the dark. You stood between me and a bullet, you cured my body, and you gave me back my soul. Will you let me spend every single day of the rest of my life loving you, protecting you, and being the husband you deserve?”
Tears of pure happiness welled in Adeline’s hazel eyes, spilling over her glowing cheeks.
She dropped to her knees right in front of him on the warm stone, throwing her arms tightly around his neck.
“Yes, Nico!” she cried softly, kissing his cheek, his jaw, and finally his warm, willing lips. “Yes, forever!”
Nico laughed—a rich, booming sound of joy—pulling her up into his arms as he stood, spinning her around on the sunny patio as the lake breeze blew around them.
Down on the grass, Wes looked up from his toy car, waving his arms and cheering wildly. “Yay! Mommy Addie and Uncle Nico!”
Nico set Adeline down on her feet, slipping the breathtaking pink diamond onto her finger before framing her face in his broad hands.
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The dark shadows of betrayal, poison, and wheelchair chains were completely gone, burned away by the light of a courage that refused to surrender.
They stood together on the edge of the lake—unbroken, victorious, and wrapped in the warmth of a true, everlasting love.
