My hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped the pregnancy test onto the bathroom floor, because those two pink lines didn’t just mean I was pregnant. They meant I was carrying the child of Alessandro Vitali, one of the richest and most powerful billionaires in Chicago, and if he discovered the truth, I had no idea whether he would protect me or destroy me.

Six months later.

The spring sunshine washed over the sprawling lawns of the Vitali estate in Lincoln Park, illuminating thousands of white roses, blooming tulips, and guests gathered beneath a grand floral canopy on the terrace.

There were no reporters, no corporate spies, and no ghosts from the past. Just family, loyal friends like Liam—who stood proudly beside me as my best man—and a small circle of people who knew the true story of how a billionaire real estate titan and a former diner waitress found their way to each other.

Standing beneath the altar was Alessandro.

He wore a bespoke black tuxedo, his amber eyes fixed entirely on the glass double doors of the mansion.

The string quartet played a soft, elegant melody.

The doors swung open.

I stepped out onto the terrace. I wore a flowing ivory lace gown designed to comfortably cradle my full, beautiful nine-month baby bump. I walked slowly, my hand resting gently against my stomach, feeling a tiny, powerful kick from the little life growing inside me.

As I reached the altar, Alessandro stepped forward, his eyes shining with unashamed tears of joy. He took my hands in his, kissing my knuckles with a reverence that made the entire crowd melt.

“You’re breathtaking,” Alessandro whispered.

“You clean up all right yourself, Mr. Vitali,” I smiled softly.

The officiant smiled warmly as he began the ceremony.

“Do you, Alessandro, take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife, to protect her through every storm, to cherish her, and to love her for all the days of your life?”

Alessandro looked deep into my eyes, his voice steady, clear, and absolute.

“I do.”

“And do you, Elizabeth, take Alessandro to be your lawfully wedded husband, to stand by his side through every battle, and to build an empire of love and strength together?”

I looked at the man who had chased away my darkest fears, who had torn down his own fortress walls just to keep me safe.

“I do,” I whispered.

With the exchange of platinum bands and a deep, soul-stirring kiss that made the wedding guests erupt into thunderous applause, our new life officially began.

Later that evening, while the reception music echoed across the estate, Alessandro led me down the cobblestone driveway toward the grand iron gates.

They stood wide open, welcoming the cool Chicago breeze and the bright, limitless horizon of our future.

Alessandro wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder as we looked out at the city lights twinkling in the distance.