Chapter 25 - The Crown Forever
Later that night, after the cameras had faded and the celebrations had quieted down, I stood alone on the wraparound balcony of the penthouse.
The Manhattan skyline glittered beneath a canopy of brilliant stars, a million lights pulsing like a sea of diamonds in the cool night air. The city that had once felt so cold and unforgiving on the night of my eviction now felt like a kingdom I had successfully tamed and nurtured.
Rowan had long since vanished into the footnotes of history, a cautionary tale of arrogance and greed. Elise and Jonathan were mere shadows of a forgotten past. But I remained—stronger, wiser, and completely fulfilled.
Leo stepped out onto the balcony, wrapping a warm cashmere shawl gently around my shoulders and leaning his head against my shoulder.
"Penny for your thoughts, Mom?" he asked softly.
May you like
I looked out over the golden horizon, smiling as I pulled my son close. "Just realizing, Leo... that when someone tries to lock you out in the cold, you don't just find a way inside—you build a castle that touches the sky."
The future stretched out before us, endless, bright, and entirely our own. Rowan had handed me a suitcase and ten minutes to disappear; instead, he had handed me the crown—and I would wear it forever.
