Chapter 9 - The Happy Ending
Two Years Later.
The sun shone brightly through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the penthouse suite.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the delicate lace of my designer wedding gown. My hair had fully grown back, cascading in soft, healthy blonde waves down my back. But I kept a tiny, discreet undercut at the nape of my neck—a secret reminder of the warrior I had become.
There was a soft knock on the door, and Marcus Sterling peeked his head in.
“Well, don't you look like a billionaire bride,” Marcus smiled, stepping into the room.
“Thank you, Marcus. For everything. I wouldn't be here without you.”
“You did the heavy lifting, Emily,” Marcus replied. “Oh, by the way, I thought you might appreciate a little wedding day gift. A colleague of mine sent over a status update on the inmates.”
He handed me a piece of paper.
Vanessa Brooks had lost her appeal. She was currently working in the prison laundry room, her beauty entirely faded, ostracized by the other inmates.
Daniel Carter had been transferred to a mid-level security facility. According to the report, he spent his days mopping the cafeteria floors, stripped of his wealth, his suits, and his pride. He was a nobody.
I looked at the paper, felt absolutely nothing for either of them, and dropped it into the trash can.
“The past is dead,” I smiled.
The orchestral music began to play from the grand ballroom outside.
I picked up my bouquet of white peonies, took a deep breath, and walked out the doors.
As I walked down the aisle, surrounded by our closest friends, loyal executives, and family, my eyes locked onto Ethan. He stood at the altar looking impossibly handsome in his black tuxedo. When he saw me, tears welled in his eyes, and his smile lit up the entire room.
I rested my hand on my stomach, where a tiny, barely visible bump was hidden beneath the lace of my dress. I hadn't told Ethan yet—I was saving the news of our first child for the honeymoon.
When I reached the altar, Ethan took my hands in his.
“You look perfect,” he whispered.
“We’re just getting started,” I whispered back.
As we exchanged our vows and the crowd erupted into applause, I looked out at the beautiful life I had built.
They thought they could break me by cutting my hair. They thought I would hide in shame and let them take my empire.
Instead, they unleashed a queen.
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And as Ethan leaned in to kiss his wife, I knew that my world hadn't ended that day in the office.
It had only just begun.
