Chương 9 - the family home
Six months later, a warm spring breeze blew through the open floor-to-ceiling glass doors of the Park Avenue penthouse, carrying the fresh scent of blooming flowers from Central Park.
Seven-year-old Mia sat at the large marble dining table, wearing her favorite pale-yellow dress, carefully painting a picture of her stuffed elephant sitting beside a big black suit jacket.
Claire walked into the room wearing a simple white silk dress, her long brown hair loose over her shoulders, her fair face radiant and glowing with healthy warmth. She set a plate of fresh fruit on the table, leaning down to kiss Mia's cheek.
"How is the masterpiece coming, sweetie?" Claire asked softly.
"It's for Daddy's new office," Mia beamed, holding up her painting proudly. "So he doesn't forget Elephant when he goes to meetings!"
Adrian walked out of the master study, wearing a crisp white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up over his forearms, looking relaxed and genuinely happy.
He walked over to the table, leaning down to inspect the painting with serious, professional appraisal. "That is the finest corporate artwork I have ever seen, Miss Mia. It will hang directly behind my main desk tomorrow morning."
Mia giggled happily, throwing her arms around his neck as Adrian lifted her up and gave her a warm hug.
He wrapped his broad arm around Claire's waist, pulling his wife gently against his side, kissing her lips with soft, lingering tenderness.
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"Are you happy, my love?" Adrian whispered against her cheek.
Claire looked into his intense gray-blue eyes, then down at their laughing daughter, feeling an overwhelming wave of gratitude fill her soul. "I have everything I ever dreamed of, Adrian."
