Chapter 9 - The Real Crown
Five months after the night I walked out of the hotel and left my engagement ring on the seating chart, the grand ballroom of the Grand Regency Hotel was lit with thousands of twinkling fairy lights and white lilies.
It was the exact same venue where Cole and Tessa had planned to celebrate their stolen victory.
But tonight, there was no scandal. No tears. No deceit.
Three hundred of the most influential figures in Port Mercy stood in the ballroom, holding champagne glasses, cheering as the heavy double doors opened.
I stepped into the ballroom wearing a stunning, backless emerald-green silk gown that trailed behind me like liquid water. Beside me, holding my hand firmly in his, was Adrian Marston.
He wore a custom black tuxedo, looking every bit the formidable, powerful man everyone in the city feared—except when he looked down at me, his eyes softening into pure warmth and devotion.
"You look breathtaking, Mrs. Marston," Adrian whispered near my ear as we walked down the center aisle toward the main stage.
"We aren't married yet, Adrian," I teased gently, my heart fluttering.
"Yet," Adrian corrected, a slow, breathtaking smile spreading across his face. "Give me until spring."
The crowd applauded as Adrian stepped up to the microphone on the stage. He held up a glass of vintage champagne, gesturing for silence.
"Five months ago," Adrian began, his command over the room absolute, "this city thought the Marston name was defined by betrayal and greed. But true strength isn't about power or money. It’s about loyalty. It’s about protecting the people who matter."
He turned to face me, stretching his hand out to pull me up onto the stage beside him.
"Emma restored honor to my family’s name," Adrian said, looking directly into my eyes in front of the entire city. "She showed me what real courage looks like. And tonight, we don't just celebrate the future of Marston Enterprises—we celebrate the beginning of our life together."
The room erupted into thunderous applause.
May you like
Adrian pulled me into his arms, dipping me slightly as he pressed his lips to mine in a deep, passionate kiss that sealed our promise before the world.
The cold glass doors where I had once collapsed in tears were wide open to the warm summer night, letting in the gentle ocean breeze. The betrayal that was meant to ruin me had only broken my chains, leading me straight into the arms of the man who truly earned my heart.
