Chapter 6 - A New FoundationThree months later, the Bedford estate looked very different.
The white roses in the conservatory had been replaced by wild lavender and ivy, and the sprawling lawns echoed with the sound of tiny footsteps and joyous laughter.
In the shade of the old oak tree near the east garden, three-year-old Mia sat cross-legged on a picnic blanket, happily coloring in a massive picture book while Rosa watched from a nearby bench, sipping iced tea with a relaxed smile.
Up on the terrace, Damian Cole stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the sunlight dance across the Hudson River in the distance. The corporate reports on his tablet were ignored; his attention was entirely captured by the woman walking toward him across the stone patio.
Valerie wore a simple yellow sundress—not the expensive, heavily structured gown from their engagement dinner, but something light, breezy, and entirely her own. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her smile was radiant.
As she reached his side, she leaned against his shoulder, following his gaze out toward the water.
“The city council approved the new public park proposal for the northern waterfront this morning,” Valerie noted quietly, slipping her hand into his. “No corporate offices. No high-rises. Just open green space and a children’s playground, named after your mother.”
Damian turned, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close. “It cost me eighty million in forfeited assets, and my board of directors thinks I’ve lost my mind.”
“Your board of directors are cowards,” she teased, tilting her head up to kiss his cheek.
“They are,” Damian agreed, smiling down at her. “Which is why I replaced half of them with people who actually know how to tell the truth.”
Down on the lawn, little Mia suddenly looked up from her coloring book, spotted them on the terrace, and waved enthusiastically with a purple crayon in her hand.
“Mr. Damian! Mommy!” the little girl called out. “Come play!”
Damian laughed—a rich, booming sound that would have terrified the ruthless young tycoon he had been just a year ago. He looked down at Valerie, his eyes shining with a deep, unbreakable devotion.
May you like
“Shall we go join our chief security consultant?” Damian asked.
Valerie squeezed his hand, stepping off the terrace and leading him down toward the grass where the sun shone without shadows. “Only if she promises not to critique my dress this time.”
