Chapter 6 - Ashes and Empires
Six months later.
The summer sun was bright and warm, pouring over the private terrace of my new estate in the Hamptons.
I sat on a soft picnic blanket, watching my twin boys, Leo and Oliver, practice crawling across the lush green grass. They were strong, healthy, and happy, laughing as they chased a small rolling ball.
Life had moved on quickly and violently for the Harringtons.
Victoria's trial had concluded two weeks ago. Despite her expensive lawyers—paid for by liquidating whatever small jewelry she had left—the paper trail I provided to the FBI was airtight.
She was found guilty of massive charity fraud and embezzlement.
The judge, thoroughly disgusted by her lack of remorse, sentenced her to eight years in a federal penitentiary.
I heard she had cried in the courtroom, begging for mercy. No one answered her.
Grant didn't even show up to his mother's sentencing.
Without his trust fund, his executive salary, and his house, he had hit rock bottom fast.
Marcus kept tabs on him for security purposes. The last report indicated that Grant was living in a cheap motel in New Jersey, working as a junior sales associate at a used car dealership.
He had tried to reach out once, sending a desperate letter asking for a loan. I threw it in the fireplace without opening it.
"Ms. Vale?"
I looked up to see Marcus stepping onto the terrace. He was holding an iPad and wearing his usual calm expression.
"The acquisition of the European luxury sector is finalized," he reported, handing me the tablet. "The board unanimously voted to approve your expansion plan."
"Thank you, Marcus," I smiled, glancing at the final signatures.
"Also," he hesitated for a fraction of a second, "today marks exactly six months since the divorce was finalized. Legally, the Harrington name is completely severed from your files."
I looked down at my two beautiful boys.
They were Vales. They would grow up knowing the value of hard work, kindness, and respect. They would never be poisoned by the arrogance and cruelty that ran in their father's veins.
"Good," I said, handing the tablet back. "Let the past stay in the past."
I scooped Leo up into my arms, kissing his warm cheek as he giggled. Oliver crawled over, demanding equal attention, and I pulled him into my lap as well.
I had walked into the freezing snow with nothing but my babies and a secret.
Now, I was sitting in the sunlight, holding my empire in one hand and my entire universe in the other.
May you like
They had tried to destroy a helpless young mother.
Instead, they had awakened a queen.
