Chapter 11 - THE MATRIARCH
"What do you want, Vincent?" Eleanor breathed, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs.
"I want you by my side," Vincent said, his voice dropping to a gravelly, reverent whisper. "Not behind me. Not in the East Wing. Beside me. As my partner. As my wife."
Eleanor gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Vincent... the families... the syndicate... they will never accept a former maid as your wife."
"Let them try to object," Vincent smiled, a dark, protective promise in his eyes. "I will burn this city to ash before I let anyone disrespect you again. I love you, Eleanor. I think I have loved you since the morning you brought me my first cup of coffee and glared at me for tracking mud onto your clean floors."
A wet, breathless laugh escaped Eleanor's lips. The walls she had built around her heart for five years finally crumbled. She reached up, weaving her fingers into his thick, dark hair.
"I love you too," she whispered.
Vincent didn't hesitate. He pulled her flush against his chest and captured her lips in a kiss that tasted of desperate relief and unbreakable promises. It was a kiss that sealed her past and secured their future.
One Year Later.
The grand ballroom of the Ashford estate was bathed in golden light. A string quartet played softly in the corner.
Eleanor stood at the top of the grand staircase, wearing a breathtaking gown of white silk that hugged every one of her curves. Her dark hair was long again, cascading in beautiful waves down her back, pinned on one side with a heavy diamond clip that belonged to Vincent’s late mother.
At the bottom of the stairs stood Julian, leaning lightly on a cane but smiling brightly, and beside him, waiting with a look of pure devotion, was Vincent.
As Eleanor descended the stairs, the seventy staff members—the same ones who had watched her humiliation over a year ago—stood on either side of the hall. But this time, there was no silence of fear.
As Eleanor reached the bottom, Thomas, the security guard, smiled and gave a deep, respectful bow. The rest of the staff followed suit, honoring not just the new Mrs. Ashford, but the woman who had saved them all.
Vincent took her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
"Ready, Mrs. Ashford?" he murmured, his eyes shining with adoration.
May you like
Eleanor squeezed his hand, her heart full, her dignity untouched, and her future completely secure.
"Always."
