Chapter 8 - Stripped of Everything
One year later.
The news of Richard Miller's final trial sentencing flashed briefly across the morning television screen before Marcus turned it off.
Richard had been sentenced to twenty-five years in federal prison without parole for his involvement in Vane's financial fraud network, extortion, and severe domestic abuse. Harrison Vane’s corporate empire had been liquidated, his name completely erased from the New York business landscape.
In the quiet sanctuary of the penthouse, none of that mattered anymore.
I stood in front of the long mirror in the master bedroom, wearing a breathtaking custom wedding gown made of delicate ivory lace and silk, trailing softly behind me on the hardwood floor.
The door clicked open, and the nanny walked in, holding three-year-old Clara and Ellie. Both girls wore adorable matching white flower-girl dresses with yellow silk sashes, tiny daisy wreaths resting atop their golden curls.
"Mommy! Look! We have flowers in our hair!" Ellie cheered, running over to hug my silk skirts.
"You look like princesses," I laughed softly, kneeling down to kiss both of their rosy cheeks.
My mother-in-law—Elias's mother, who had welcomed me into the Vance family with open arms and overwhelming love—stepped into the room, tears shining in her eyes.
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"You look absolute stunning, Ava," she whispered gently, adjusting the veil over my shoulders. "Elias is waiting for you downstairs."
I looked at my reflection in the mirror one last time. The fragile, bruised woman who had nearly died beneath a freezing overpass was gone forever. Standing in her place was a strong, confident mother, a beloved wife, and a woman who had fought for her happiness and won.
