Chapter 10 - The Heir
Three years later.
The gardens of the Sterling estate were in full bloom, the air smelling of jasmine and fresh rain. I sat on a woven blanket on the manicured lawn, laughing as Ethan and Lily chased a golden retriever puppy through the grass. They were strong, wild, and incredibly happy toddlers.
I wore a simple sundress, completely at peace. I was no longer just the secret granddaughter. I had taken over as the Vice President of Sterling Industries, running the charitable foundations and the medical network.
Arthur sat in a wicker chair nearby, sipping iced tea, watching his great-grandchildren with total adoration.
My assistant, a sharp young woman in a tailored suit, walked across the patio, handing me a sealed folder. “The morning briefings, Ms. Sterling. And... the final update from the federal penitentiary.”
I took the folder.
Julian had been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for the embezzlement. From what my lawyers had gathered, prison had not been kind to him. He was assigned to the laundry detail, scrubbing the very uniforms he had once mocked the working class for wearing. He had tried to appeal, tried to write letters begging to see the twins, but my legal wall was impenetrable. He was a ghost.
I tossed the folder onto the patio table without opening it.
“Bad news?” Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Old news,” I smiled, looking back at my children.
Ethan tripped over his own feet, tumbling into the soft grass. He didn't cry. He giggled, pushed himself back up, and ran straight into my open arms. Lily followed, tackling us both in a pile of laughter and sunshine.
May you like
I hugged them tight, burying my face in their sweet-smelling hair. I had survived the darkest moment of my life, signed away my past, and stepped into my power.
Julian had told me that day in the NICU that we were alone. He was wrong. We were an empire.
