Chapter 24

Before he left, Dominic made every arrangement he could think of. He asked his mother to keep a close eye on Claire, and then departed for Miami. He'd already anticipated the danger — he had a decoy drive his car, and sure enough, the vehicle was ambushed en route.

It didn't take long for Dominic to close the trap. He arrived with the police and had every last one of the attackers arrested. The investigation quickly traced the hit back to the Holloways.

Once Ethan and Harold were identified and taken into custody, Dominic stood before Ethan with a look of cool indifference. "I didn't expect you to be so reckless. What a pity."

Ethan's eyes flew open. He shot to his feet, his face white with rage. "You set me up!"

Dominic's expression was detached, his lips curving into a faint, cold smile. "How is this a setup? You did this to yourself."

If looks could kill, Dominic would have died a thousand times over. But he remained perfectly calm. "By the way, I hear Holloway Industries has quite a few regulatory violations on the books. I imagine an audit is coming."

Harold's face went gray. He lowered his head, swallowing every last shred of his pride. "Dominic, please — name your terms. Whatever you want, I'll make it happen."

Ethan snapped. "Dad, why are you begging him?"

Harold whirled on his son. "Shut your mouth! If it weren't for you, our family would never be in this mess!"

Dominic's smile was glacial. "I'm afraid I can't help you. You certainly showed no mercy when you came after me."

Harold's face flushed with fury. He sputtered something in protest, but Dominic had already turned and walked away.

Later, once reality finally sank in, Ethan made one last desperate play — he sent someone to deliver a message to Claire, trying to get her to visit him. That was how she found out about the ambush.

By the time she learned the truth, several days had already passed. She was so furious that she gave Dominic the silent treatment, turning on her heel and walking away every time he came near.

Dominic caught her in his arms before she could escape. "Claire, let me explain."

She looked up at him. His face was a portrait of guilt. "Sweetheart, I'm sorry. I was afraid the stress would be bad for the baby. Those people aren't worth it."

Claire let out a bitter laugh. "So you still think you did nothing wrong?"

His expression froze. She scoffed, pulling away to leave, but he caught her hand. "Claire — I'm actually really happy right now."

"What could you possibly have to say?" Her voice was sharp with impatience.

Dominic's eyes softened as he looked at her. "I'm happy because you're worried about me. But Claire, I only went because I got the intel in advance."

Claire took a deep breath, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Things can always go wrong. If you'd been in real danger, no one could have saved you."

Dominic paused, then a slow smile spread across his face. "You're right. But I did tell my parents. I only kept it from you because I didn't want you scared out of your mind."

He crouched down in front of her, looking up with tender eyes, and gently placed her hand against his cheek. "Forgive me. I was reckless, and I'm sorry."

"Please don't be angry anymore?"

He gave her his word. "It won't happen again. I promise — from now on, no matter what, I'll never keep anything from you."

Claire eventually forgave him. Not long after, it was time. She was admitted to the hospital a day before her due date.

The delivery was agonizing. Even with all the prenatal preparation, the pain was unbearable. Outside the delivery room, Dominic listened to her weakened cries and fought back tears.

She was so fragile. How could she endure this?

If he could, he would have traded places with her in a heartbeat. But for all his wealth and power, there was nothing to do but wait.

Claire didn't deliver until the following day. Dominic was at her side the moment it was over, his eyes rimmed red, gripping her hand tight. "I'm here. You're safe."

She managed a tired smile before her eyes drifted shut.

They named the baby Lily Ashford — a name woven from pieces of both Claire and Dominic's names as a quiet testament to their love.

The Ashford grandparents doted on the child, while Claire was sent to a postpartum recovery retreat to recuperate.

A few months later, once she'd fully recovered, Edward nudged his son. "You're young — go enjoy yourselves while you can. Take your wife and travel. Your mother and I will handle Lily."

Catherine held the baby up for Claire to see. Little Lily was porcelain-skinned and exquisite, blessed with the best of both her parents' features. Claire couldn't resist reaching out to tickle her.

The baby promptly tried to bite her finger. Claire yanked her hand back with a yelp, goosebumps prickling up her arms.

Catherine laughed. "She's probably hungry again. Look how much she's grown."

Claire smiled, a wave of wonder washing over her. "She was so tiny in those first photos. I can't believe how big she is already."

She didn't dare tease the baby again after that. Before long, Dominic whisked her away on a grand tour — city after city, country after country. Whenever they missed Lily, they'd video call home.

The trip stretched on for years. Apart from the occasional visit during the holidays, they traveled the world, and by the time they finally came home for good, little Lily barely recognized them.

Claire carefully scooped her daughter into her arms. Catherine pinched Lily's cheek. "Go on, sweetheart. Say 'Mama.'"

Lily was bold and unafraid of strangers — even ones who happened to be her parents. Guilt-stricken, Claire and Dominic retired their suitcases and devoted themselves to family — their parents and their daughter.

At the portrait studio, Dominic gathered everyone for a family photo. He hung it in the center of the living room wall.

Edward and Catherine admired it endlessly, beaming with pride. Lily sat nearby, happily stacking blocks. The room glowed with warmth and laughter.

Dominic laced his fingers through Claire's. "Meeting you is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."

Claire met his gaze and smiled. "It is for me, too."

If she'd never gone abroad, she might never have found him. Looking back, it all felt like a dream — and she was endlessly grateful that fate had brought Dominic Ashford into her life.