Chapter 9 - The Fallout
Six months later.
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of our Chicago penthouse. I sat at the marble island, sipping my coffee, watching the news on the mounted flat screen.
"...Former socialite and heir Julian Vance was sentenced today to five years in federal prison for wire fraud and embezzlement," the news anchor announced, a graphic of Julian’s exhausted mugshot appearing on screen. "Vance Enterprises filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month following a mass exodus of investors. In related news, Vance's brief marriage to Chloe Sterling was officially annulled..."
I pressed a button on the remote, turning the TV off.
It didn't bring me joy to see him in an orange jumpsuit, but it brought me peace. The universe had balanced its scales.
"Mommy!"
I turned around just in time to catch Noah as he barreled into my legs. He was holding a remarkably impressive, albeit abstract, finger-painting.
"Is this for me?" I gasped, scooping him up into my arms.
"It’s a dinosaur eating a bad guy," he explained seriously.
"It’s a masterpiece," I declared, kissing his cheek.
Sebastian walked into the kitchen, already dressed in a crisp white shirt, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
"Good morning," he murmured, his voice deep and raspy with sleep. "I see we’re admiring fine art."
"The finest," I agreed, leaning back into his chest.
"My lawyers called," Sebastian said casually. "The Vance estate in the Hamptons went up for auction this morning. The bank is liquidating it."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"I bought it," he said, deadpan.
May you like
I spun around to look at him, my jaw dropping. "Sebastian! Why on earth would you buy that monstrosity?"
He grinned, a wicked, boyish spark in his eyes. "I thought it would make a great site for a new philanthropic foundation. Specifically, a fully funded research center for women's reproductive health and fertility support. I plan to put your name on the front gate in massive, heavy bronze letters."
