Chapter 220 One year Later

Chapter 220 One year Later


~Lora’s POV~

The judge smiled as he finished signing the papers.
“Congratulations, Mrs. Anderson,” he said. “Lisa is officially yours.”
I held the papers and stared at them for a moment. My heart felt tight in a good way. After everything the threats, the fear, the betrayal this little girl was finally, legally, mine. Ours.

Chard stood next to me, his hand resting on my back. He didn’t say anything, but I could feel his quiet pride. When we walked out of the courthouse, the cold wind hit my face. It was winter, and the air smelled like rain and smoke. I pulled my coat tighter.
“We did it,” I whispered.

Chard leaned down and kissed my head.

“You did it,” he said. “I just signed where they told me to.”
I laughed softly and looked up at him. “Don’t pretend you weren’t nervous in there.”

He smirked. “I wasn’t nervous. I was just making sure they didn’t try anything sneaky.”

We drove home in comfortable silence. The twins were at school, and Lisa was with the nanny. For once, the house would be quiet when we got back. I kept glancing at the adoption papers on my lap, still not fully believing it was real.

When we stepped inside the penthouse, the warmth wrapped around us. The fireplace was lit, and the smell of wood and vanilla filled the air. Chard took off his coat and hung it up, then turned to me.
“You know what this means, right?” he asked, a teasing look in his eyes.

I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

He walked toward me slowly, loosening his tie.
“It means I get to call you the mother of my three children now,” he said. “Officially. No take-backs.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling.
“You’re so dramatic,” I said.

Chard stopped in front of me. He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering.

“I’m serious,” he said softly. “You’ve given me everything, Lora. A family. Peace. Even when I didn’t deserve it.”

His voice was low, and I felt warmth spread through my chest. After everything we had been through the lies, the danger, the pain we had made it. Chard’s company was now one of the top marketing firms in the world. We were happy. Truly happy.

I placed my hand on his chest and looked up at him.
“You’ve given me a lot too,” I said softly. “Even when you were being stubborn and overprotective.”

He grinned. “I’m still overprotective.”

“I know,” I said, laughing. “That’s never going to change.”

Chard leaned in closer, his lips brushing my ear.
“You know what else isn’t going to change?” he whispered.

“What?”

“How much I want you right now.”

A shiver ran down my spine. Even after all this time, he still affected me like that. I stepped back slightly, trying to hide my smile.
“You’re terrible,” I said, turning toward the hallway. “The kids will be home soon.”

Chard didn’t let me get far.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me back gently, wrapping his other arm around my waist. Before I could protest, he lifted me up and threw me over his shoulder.

“Chard!” I gasped, laughing. “Put me down!”

“Not a chance,” he said, walking toward the bedroom. “You started this by looking at me like that.”

“I didn’t look at you like anything!” I struggled, still laughing.

He kicked the bedroom door open and carried me inside. The room was dim, the heavy curtains drawn against the cold light. He dropped me onto the bed and climbed over me before I could escape.

His body was warm against mine. I could feel his heat through our clothes as he leaned down and kissed me deeply. His hands moved slowly, like he was memorizing every curve again.

“You’re freezing,” he murmured against my lips.
“Then warm me up,” I whispered back.

The kiss deepened. His hands slid under my blouse, and I gasped at the contrast between his warm palms and my cold skin. Outside, the wind howled, but inside, the only sound was our breathing and the soft rustle of clothes.

Chard took his time. He kissed every inch of me like he had all the time in the world. His mouth moved down my neck, across my collarbone, and lower. Every touch sent sparks through my body. When he finally entered me, I arched against him, my fingers digging into his back.

We moved together slowly at first, then faster, finding that familiar rhythm. The cold air pressed against the windows, but our bodies were warm. I could feel every inch of him, every breath, every whispered word against my skin.

“I love you,” he groaned against my neck.
“I love you too,” I gasped.

When we finally pulled apart, we stayed tangled under the sheets, breathing hard. Chard pulled me against his chest, one arm wrapped around me. The room was quiet except for the wind outside and our slowing heartbeats.

I turned my head slightly and looked toward the doorway. From where I lay, I could see into the living room. The twins’ toys were scattered on the floor. Lisa’s little shoes sat neatly by the door. A framed photo of the five of us was on the shelf near the window.

I looked at Chard, then at the life we had built together.
This was it.

I smiled softly and whispered to myself.

“This is the life I always dreamed of.”