Chapter 8 - THE NEW FOUNDATIONS
Three months later.
Spring had arrived in upstate New York, melting the mountain snow and turning the vast rolling hills surrounding the Rossi estate into a vibrant carpet of green grass and wild flowers.
The quiet, intimidating fortress that had once felt so dark and formidable was now filled with bright afternoon sunlight. The high windows of the primary wing were thrown wide open, letting in the sweet smell of fresh pine and blooming jasmine.
In the sunlit garden terrace behind the mansion, Amelia sat in a comfortable wicker armchair, a sketchpad resting on her lap. She was six months pregnant now, her baby bump clearly visible beneath a flowing yellow sundress. Her skin was glowing with health, her pale cheeks full, and her eyes bright with creative energy.
She was drawing a charcoal landscape of the surrounding mountains, her fingers moving across the heavy paper with skilled, graceful precision.
A heavy, familiar footstep echoed against the stone patio.
Adrian stepped out onto the terrace. He had discarded his usual tailored suit jacket, wearing a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his muscular, tattooed forearms. He carried a silver tray carrying a tall glass of fresh iced lemonade and a plate of sliced strawberries.
He set the tray down on the small table beside her chair.
“You’ve been drawing for three hours,” Adrian said gently, leaning down and pressing a soft, lingering kiss against the crown of her head. “Dr. Harrison said you need to rest your back.”
Amelia set her charcoal pencil down and looked up at him, her heart swelling with an emotion so deep and profound it often took her breath away.
“I feel wonderful, Adrian,” she said, taking his hand and placing it flat against her stomach.
Instantly, a strong, distinct kick pushed against his palm from inside her belly.
Adrian’s sharp, powerful face softened completely. A bright, wondrous smile spread across his lips—a smile that only ever appeared when he was alone with her. He knelt down on one knee beside her chair, resting his cheek gently against her rounded abdomen, listening to the quiet life growing inside her.
“He’s getting stronger every day,” Adrian whispered, his voice filled with deep reverence.
“He gets that from his father,” Amelia said softly, running her fingers gently through Adrian’s dark hair.
In the three months since the night at the Harrington estate, their lives had transformed completely.
With Adrian’s guidance and legal team, Amelia had taken full control of her mother’s trust fund, restructuring the Harrington Art Foundation into a charity dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Arthur Harrington had pled guilty to federal fraud charges and was serving a ten-year sentence in a minimum-security facility. Julian Harrington and Sebastian Croft had both been convicted on multiple counts of racketeering, money laundering, and assault, facing decades behind bars in maximum-security prisons.
The shadows that had haunted Amelia’s youth had been completely erased, replaced by the unbreakable protection and boundless love of the man holding her right now.
“Leo called from the city,” Adrian said, looking up into her green eyes. “The closing papers for the new art gallery on 5th Avenue have been finalized. The keys arrive tomorrow.”
Amelia’s eyes sparkled with joy. “My own gallery?”
“Your own gallery,” Adrian confirmed, standing up and pulling her gently to her feet. “Designed entirely by you, owned entirely by you, and guarded by sixteen of my best men.”
May you like
Amelia laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Sixteen guards for an art gallery?”
“Nobody touches my wife’s paintings,” Adrian said with absolute, unyielding seriousness, pulling her close to his chest and capturing her lips in a deep, passionate kiss that made her world tilt on its axis.
