Chapter 8 - Healing the Broken Pieces
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in Chicago, bringing warm breezes from Lake Michigan that cleared away the smog and winter rain.
At the Vance estate, the cherry blossoms in the rear garden were in full bloom, dropping pink petals across the manicured green lawns and stone pathways.
Sadi stood near the edge of the marble swimming pool, wearing a flowing yellow sundress and straw hat. In her hand, she held a set of architectural blueprints for a new project—the Reyes Foundation, a eighty-bed transitional shelter and career center for women escaping domestic abuse and financial exploitation, fully funded by Vance Capital.
Behind her, heavy footsteps sounded against the stone terrace.
Roman walked up, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her back against his broad chest. He rested his chin on her shoulder, breathing in the scent of her jasmine perfume.
“The city council just approved the building permits for the West Side location,” Roman murmured into her neck.
Sadi smiled, laying her hands over his arms. “How much did you bribe them?”
“I didn't bribe anyone,” Roman said, a faint trace of humor in his voice. “I simply suggested that an approval would be very good for their political longevity.”
Sadi laughed—a bright, warm sound that filled the garden.
She turned around in his arms, wrapping her hands around his neck, looking into those rain-cloud grey eyes that had once terrified an entire city, but now held only unconditional love for her.
“How is the trial going?” she asked softly.
“It ended an hour ago,” Roman replied, his thumbs lightly stroking her hips. “Trevor Sterling was sentenced to fourteen years without eligibility for parole. His application for an appeal was rejected by the appellate court in ten minutes.”
Sadi took a slow, deep breath, letting the news settle into her heart.
Fourteen years.
By the time Trevor walked out of prison, he would be in his late forties. He would have no career, no money, no connections, and no reputation. He would be forced to start from the absolute bottom—working minimum wage shifts, living in a cheap room, counting pennies to buy groceries.
He would live the exact life he had mocked her for living.
“Do you feel better?” Roman asked, his gaze searching her face with deep tenderness.
“I felt better the day I met you, Roman,” Sadi whispered, rising on her tiptoes to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Trevor didn't ruin my life. He just delayed me from finding you.”
May you like
Roman pulled her flush against his heart, his hand pressing into her back, holding her as if she were the most precious, delicate treasure in the entire world.
“You are my home, Sadi,” Roman murmured against her lips. “And as long as I breathe, no one will ever make you feel small again.”
