Chapter 7
The diamond caught the dim emergency lighting, glittering between us.
"A marriage of convenience," I whispered, my mind spinning. "You would tie yourself to a maid just to spite a rival?"
"I would tie myself to you to save a child," Dominic corrected gently. "And you are not just a maid, Claire. You haven't been just a maid to me for a long time."
I looked up at him, shocked. "What do you mean?"
Dominic stepped closer, his thumb gently wiping a tear from my cheek. "You think I didn't notice you? I watched the way you smiled at Maisie when you thought nobody was looking. I watched how hard you worked. I was engaged to Vanessa out of obligation, a blind spot for my brother's memory. But you... you were the only real thing in this house."
My breath hitched. The way he looked at me—it wasn't pity. It was genuine, deep respect. And something warmer.
"Okay," I whispered, my voice trembling but certain. "Yes. I'll marry you."
Within an hour, a private judge—one loyal to the Moretti family—was brought to the estate.
We stood in Dominic's study. I was still wearing my simple clothes; Dominic was in his ruined dress shirt. Maisie sat sleepily on a leather armchair, holding a stuffed bear Dominic had found for her.
As we spoke the vows, Dominic held my hands. His grip was warm and grounding. When he slipped the ring onto my finger, it felt heavy, a physical shield protecting my family.
"I pronounce you husband and wife," the judge said quickly, stamping the marriage certificate and the expedited adoption papers.
"It's done," Dominic said, turning to me. "She's a Moretti now."
A massive weight lifted off my chest. I let out a breath I felt like I had been holding for years.
"Thank you," I breathed.
Before Dominic could respond, Marcus entered the study.
"Boss," Marcus said, looking uncomfortable. "We have a problem."
"What now?" Dominic asked.
"It's the police," Marcus said. "They aren't here for Maisie. They're here for Claire."
"For me?" I asked, confused.
Dominic stepped in front of me. "On what charge?"
Marcus swallowed hard. "Grand Larceny. Vanessa filed a police report three hours ago. She claimed Claire stole two million dollars in diamonds from her private safe before the dinner."
"That's absurd," Dominic growled. "She didn't steal anything."
"The police say they received an anonymous tip," Marcus said quietly. "They searched Claire's apartment downtown an hour ago. They found the diamonds hidden in Maisie's mattress."
My knees buckled. Dominic caught me before I hit the floor.
May you like
Vanessa had set me up. The money clip wasn't the only thing she had planted in my home.
"They have an arrest warrant, Boss," Marcus said. "If we don't hand Claire over, they'll raid the estate."
