Chapter 10 - A Life Worth Living
One Year Later.
The breeze off the Atlantic Ocean was warm and sweet.
On the rolling green lawn behind the Vale Estate, a massive birthday party was in full swing. Brightly colored balloons, bouncy castles, and laughter filled the air that had once been dead silent.
Guests filled the yard—not shadowy mobsters carrying guns, but neighborhood families, teachers, and legitimate business partners. Over the past year, Dominic had systematically dismantled the syndicate’s illegal operations, transitioning the Vale Empire into a fully legitimate, global logistics and real estate corporate empire.
The mob boss had retired. He was now just a father and a devoted husband.
"Slow down!" Hannah laughed, sitting at an outdoor wooden table, holding a glass of iced tea. She was glowing, wearing a yellow summer dress. Her belly was noticeably rounded—she was six months pregnant with a baby boy.
Across the lawn, Dominic was being chased by three three-year-old little girls.
Lily was wearing a princess crown, Grace had a toy sword, and Emma was wearing a cape.
"I've got you now, Monster Dada!" Emma shouted in full, clear sentences, tackling Dominic around his knees.
Dominic let out a dramatic groan, falling onto the soft grass. "Oh no! The powerful Princess Trio has defeated me!"
The girls collapsed onto his chest, giggling uncontrollably, showering his face with kisses.
Dominic laughed—a loud, genuine, joyful sound that nobody in the state of New York would have believed came from the feared Dominic Vale three years ago.
He picked up all three girls, swinging them around before setting them down to go chase the bubble machine.
Dominic walked over to the table, wiping a sweat drop from his forehead, looking down at Hannah with pure, unadulterated love.
He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips, then dropped to his knees to press a gentle kiss onto her pregnant belly.
"How is my son doing today?" Dominic asked softly.
"He's kicking," Hannah smiled, running her fingers through Dominic’s dark hair. "He thinks his dad is being too silly."
Dominic chuckled, resting his chin on her knee, looking out at the three girls who were currently trying to catch butterflies near the garden.
"Sometimes I look at all this," Dominic whispered, his voice thick with gratitude, "and I wonder how a man like me got so lucky."
"You weren't lucky, Dominic," Hannah said softly, cupping his jaw. "You just needed someone to remind you what you were fighting for."
Dominic stood up, pulling Hannah up with him, wrapping his strong arms around her waist, holding her close against his chest as the ocean breeze blew around them.
The three triplets ran back over, wrapping their arms around their parents' legs.
"Mama! Dada! Look!" Lily squeaked, holding up a bright yellow dandelion. "For you!"
Dominic and Hannah knelt down together, taking the small flower.
Three years ago, a terrified, exhausted waitress had stepped past Table Seven in a rainy Italian restaurant, broke a tray, and heard three silent girls speak their very first word.
May you like
Now, as Hannah looked around at her husband, her daughters, and the bright future ahead, she knew that wasn't a nightmare.
It was the moment her real life had finally begun.
