Chapter 193 *
Scarlett’s POV
"You sure?"
"Positive. I'll text you when I'm done."
She hugged me and headed off. I went inside and took the elevator to the third floor.
The study room was already half full. My group was gathered around a table covered in textbooks and notes.
I took my usual seat and pulled out my materials.
We worked through problem sets for an hour. Molecular structures and reaction mechanisms. The kind of work that required total focus.
I loved it.
My phone buzzed. A text from Damon.
How's studying going?
I smiled and typed back. Good. Almost done.
I'll pick you up in thirty minutes.
You don't have to.
I know. I want to.
I put my phone away and went back to work.
Thirty minutes later, I packed up my things and headed downstairs.
Damon was waiting by the main entrance. He was leaning against his car, looking like every college girl's fantasy. Expensive suit. Confident posture. The kind of presence that made people turn and stare.
He saw me and his face softened immediately.
"How was your day?" he asked when I reached him.
"Long. Tiring. My feet hurt."
"Let's get you home."
He opened the car door for me. I slid into the back seat with a sigh of relief.
Arthur pulled away from the curb and navigated through campus traffic.
Damon's hand found my stomach. He did that now. Constantly. Like he needed to feel the proof that our baby was real.
"Did you feel any movement today?" he asked.
"A little. This morning when I was in class."
"What did it feel like?"
"Like butterflies. Or bubbles. It's hard to describe."
His eyes lit up. "I can't wait until I can feel it too."
"Soon. Dr. Harper said probably in the next few weeks."
We drove home in comfortable silence.
The house felt warm and welcoming when we walked in. Damon had already started setting up the nursery. He'd hired a designer to do it properly. Everything was soft colors and expensive furniture and carefully chosen details.
I'd told him it was too much. He'd ignored me.
I went to the bedroom and changed into comfortable clothes. One of Damon's shirts and soft pants with an elastic waistband.
When I came back to the living room, he had dinner laid out on the coffee table. Thai food from my favorite place.
"You're spoiling me," I said.
"That's the plan."
We ate on the couch. Damon told me about his day. Meetings and phone calls and the kind of business decisions that affected hundreds of people.
I told him about organic chemistry and my study group and the professor who kept making terrible jokes.
Normal couple things.
It was strange how normal our life had become.
Six weeks later.
I sat in Butler Library on a Thursday afternoon.
My organic chemistry textbook was open in front of me. Notes scattered across the table. A half-empty cup of coffee going cold beside my laptop.
Finals were two weeks away.
I'd been studying for hours. My brain felt like mush.
I put my hand on my stomach. Twenty-four weeks now. The baby had gotten more active over the past few days. Constant movement. Little kicks and rolls that made me smile every time.
A particularly strong kick hit my ribs.
"Okay, I get it," I murmured. "You're bored too."
Another kick. This one stronger.
I laughed quietly.
My phone buzzed. A text from Damon.
How's studying?
Exhausting. This kid won't stop moving.
That's my baby. Already keeping you on your toes.
When are you picking me up?
Thirty minutes. I'm leaving the office now.
See you soon.
I put my phone away and tried to focus on molecular structures one more time.
But my mind kept wandering.
To the nursery that was almost finished. To the tiny clothes hanging in the closet. To the ultrasound appointment next week where we'd finally find out if we were having a boy or a girl.
Damon said he didn't care either way. He'd love this baby no matter what.
I believed him.
I believed a lot of things now that I wouldn't have believed a year ago.
That I deserved to be happy.
That I deserved to be loved.
That the family I chose was worth more than the family I'd been born into.
When I walked out of Butler Library, Damon was already waiting by the curb.
He saw me and smiled. I crossed the sidewalk and got into the car.
"Ready to go home?" he asked.
"Yeah. Let's go home."
He took my hand as Arthur pulled away from campus.
I looked out the window at New York sliding past. The city that had broken me and built me back up stronger.
My hand rested on my stomach. Our baby kicked again.
In three months I'd meet them.
In three months everything would change again.
But for right now, in this moment, everything was exactly as it should be.
I leaned against Damon's shoulder and closed my eyes.
Whatever came next, we were ready.
All three of us.
Together.
THE END
We made it to the finish line! 🎉
I can't believe Damon and Scarlett’s journey in The Mafia King's Killer Bride is complete. A huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to every single one of you who read, commented, and supported this story. You guys are the heartbeat of my writing!
What’s next? I’m definitely not done with this world. I’ll be dropping bonus chapters very soon, and I’m already cooking up a brand-new story that I think you’re going to love.
Where to find me: Let’s stay connected! Follow me on Facebook at Xena Kessler. Just look for the cute Abyssinian cat avatar—that’s me! 🐱
I’ll be posting all the updates on the bonus scenes and my upcoming projects there first. Come say hi!
Sending so much love,
Xena Kessler