Chapter 110

Chapter 110
Anna sat on the terrace, her hands resting gently over the small swell of her stomach. She was glowing in a way she had never imagined possible, her pregnancy still fresh but real enough to remind her every morning that life could bloom even after so much death and betrayal.

Beside her, Lady Helena — Marcus’s mother — poured tea into porcelain cups, her movements slow and graceful. Anna still sometimes stared at her in disbelief, knowing how close she had come to losing her forever. It felt unreal, being able to call her “mother” now without fear.

“My dear, you’re eating for two now,” Helena said, her voice warm but firm, sliding a plate of pastries closer. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you skipping meals when you’re nervous. That ends today.”

Anna chuckled, shaking her head. “You sound like Miss Julia.”

At the mention of her name, Miss Julia appeared from the doorway, carrying a folded blanket and fussing over Antonio, who ran clumsily toward Anna with his arms wide.

“Anna! Anna! Look!” he shouted, holding up a crooked flower he had picked from the garden.

Anna bent down, hugging him tightly. “It’s beautiful, Antonio. Thank you, sweetheart.”

Miss Julia set the blanket down and gave Anna a knowing look. “Careful, Anna. Antonio is heavy these days. You mustn’t strain yourself.”

Anna rolled her eyes with a smile. “You all treat me like I’m made of glass.”

“Because you carry the heir,” Helena said simply, but her eyes softened, and Anna saw the pride there.

For once, Anna wasn’t just the woman Marcus fought for. She wasn’t just the girl sold, kidnapped, hunted, betrayed. She was family. She belonged.

And Vera…

“Anna!” Vera’s voice rang out from the far side of the terrace. She hurried over, dressed simply but glowing herself, her long dark hair tied back in a loose braid. “Come see this Antonio is trying to paint, and he insists on making everyone purple.”

The boy giggled behind her, clearly guilty.

Anna grinned at Vera. It had taken time to rebuild trust. Vera, once a pawn in her damon’s twisted games, now stood at her side like a true sister. There were still scars between them, shadows of secrets that had almost destroyed them both, but every day Vera worked harder to heal the wound.

Anna reached for her hand. “We’re sisters now. You know that, right?”

Vera’s throat bobbed as she swallowed, her eyes glassy. “I don’t deserve it, but thank you.”

Helena placed a hand on both their shoulders, her gaze filled with pride. “You are my daughters. That is all that matters now.”

For a moment, everything felt perfect.

But it was the silence beneath the laughter that gnawed at Anna. The absence at the table.

Marcus.

She had dreamed of him every night since that last chaotic moment, the gunshot that had ripped through the air, the blood, the horror. No matter how much Helena reassured her, no matter how Julia whispered that he was safe.

She rubbed her stomach absentmindedly, her chest tight. “He should be here,” she whispered under her breath, too low for anyone to hear.

That evening, when the villa quieted and Antonio finally fell asleep, Anna slipped onto the balcony. The stars burned cold above her, and the wind carried the faint sound of the sea.

Her heart ached. She remembered Marcus’s hands — rough but gentle — the way his voice dipped low when he whispered her name. He had promised her forever, and she clung to that promise even now.

The door creaked behind her.

“Couldn’t sleep?” Helena asked softly, stepping out.

Anna wiped quickly at her eyes. “I’m fine.”

Helena’s smile was sad but knowing. “You miss him.”

Anna nodded, unable to speak.

“He will return to you soon,” Helena whispered. “My son is stronger than you think.”

Anna tried to smile, but it faltered. She turned back to the stars, holding onto hope even as fear gnawed inside her.

The next morning, the villa buzzed with unusual energy. Guards shifted at their posts, whispering among themselves. Miss Julia darted through the halls with a nervous excitement, carrying fresh sheets and opening windows that had been locked for weeks.

Anna frowned. “What’s happening?”

Vera appeared beside her, biting her lip as if she knew something but didn’t want to speak.

Then, the heavy double doors at the entrance opened.

Anna’s breath caught.

Marcus stood there.

He filled the doorway like a storm returned from battle. His frame was leaner, his face marked with a thin scar across his jaw, but his eyes — those dark, burning eyes — locked onto her with the same fire that had once made her weak in the knees.

The room froze.

Antonio squealed and ran forward, shouting, “Papa!”

Marcus caught him mid-run, lifting him into his arms before setting him down again. But his eyes never left Anna. Not once.

Anna’s chest constricted. She couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

“You—” her voice cracked, tears burning hot in her eyes. “You’re back.”

Marcus took a slow step forward. “Did you really think I’d leave you for so long, Anna?” His voice was low, rough, edged with pain and love all at once.

She stumbled into his arms, sobbing against his chest as he held her tight, burying his face in her hair. “I thought you would take some weeks to finalised the deal,” she whispered.

“Yeah but because of you i had to rush over it,” he murmured, kissing the top of her head.

Helena wiped at her eyes, turning away to give them a moment. Miss Julia sniffed quietly, muttering about how she always knew he’d come back early. Even Vera stood still, her face unreadable but her eyes glimmering with hapiness.

Marcus pulled back just enough to look at Anna’s stomach. His hand trembled as he placed it over her small bump.

“how is the baby?” he asked softly.

Anna nodded. “He's good but now you're here his happy .”

For the first time in months, Marcus smiled. Not the cold, ruthless smile of the billionaire. Not the sharp smirk of the mafia boss. A real smile. One that lit his face and made Anna’s knees weak.

“Our child,” he whispered. “Our future.”

Anna cupped his cheek, her voice steady now. “We’ve fought everyone. We’ve survived everything. No one can take this from us.”

Marcus leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers. “Let them try. I’ll burn the world before I let anyone touch you again.”

The family gathered around them then, Helena embracing them both, Vera whispering that she would never betray them again, Miss Julia already fussing about food, and Antonio tugging at Marcus’s hand, demanding he never leave again.

It wasn’t just survival anymore. It was a new beginning.

Every enemy had fallen. Every secret had been dragged into the light. And though scars remained, they were together.

Stronger.

Unbreakable.

Anna rested her head against Marcus’s chest, her hand over his heart. She felt it beating steady and strong beneath her palm.

They had overcome hell itself.

And together, they were ready to face whatever future dared to come.