Chapter 9 - The Wife Who Was Supposed to Betray Vincent Became the Woman Who Saved the Family He Thought He Had Lost Forever
One year later, Claire and Vincent renewed their vows.
No contract.
No lawyers.
No conditions.
Just family.
Daniel stood beside them.
Margaret sat in the front row.
Lily was there.
Gabriel gave a speech.
Everyone laughed.
Then Vincent looked at Claire.
“When I met you, I thought I was buying a wife.”
Claire smiled.
“You were.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I thought money could solve anything.”
“It solved my father's debt.”
“It didn't solve mine.”
“What debt?”
“The debt of trusting people.”
She squeezed his hand.
“And now?”
“Now I know trust isn't something you buy.”
She smiled.
“You earn it.”
He nodded.
“I earned yours?”
“Every day.”
They kissed.
Afterward, Claire and Vincent stood alone outside.
She rested her head on his chest.
“Do you ever miss the old life?”
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“No.”
“Why?”
He looked at her.
“Because the old life gave me power.”
“And this one?”
“Peace.”
She smiled.
Then he took her hand.
“And you.”
She looked at him.
“What about me?”
“You gave me a reason to want the future.”
She kissed him.
They walked home.
Not to an empire.
To a house.
A family.
A life.
May you like
And that was enough.
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