Chapter 5 - A World Away
Seven months later.
The Mediterranean sun cast a warm, golden glow over the private terrace of a villa tucked into the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. The air smelled of sea salt, lemon blossoms, and perfect, unbothered peace.
Anna sat in a plush wicker chair, humming softly as she rocked a double stroller back and forth with her foot. Inside, a healthy baby boy and baby girl were fast asleep, completely unaware of the chaos they had left behind in America.
Liv walked out onto the terrace, holding two glasses of sparkling cider.
"Did you see the morning alerts?" Liv asked, passing a glass to Anna.
Anna didn't look up from her babies. "I stopped reading the alerts months ago, Liv."
"Well, you'll want to hear this one," Liv smiled, sitting across from her. "Sterling Corp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this morning. The board ousted Damian, and the SEC just indicted him for wire fraud related to the frozen assets. Irene had to sell the Greenwich estate to cover his legal fees. He’s facing five years."
Anna took a slow sip of her cider. She felt no malice, no triumph, and absolutely no pity. Damian Sterling was simply a stranger she used to know—a cautionary tale she would one day tell her children about the dangers of arrogance.
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"It's a beautiful day," Anna said softly, looking out over the endless blue expanse of the sea.
She reached down, gently adjusting the light linen blanket over her sleeping twins. She had erased her past, secured her future, and built an empire of her own, entirely out of love.
