Chapter 21
The holidays arrived with a soft blanket of snow,
turning the Thorne estate into a picturesque winter wonderland.
It was Liam’s first Christmas,
and Marcus had spared absolutely no expense,
transforming the grand ballroom into a magical forest of twinkling lights and towering pine trees.
Khloe had spent the morning baking cookies,
the rich scent of cinnamon and vanilla filling the entire mansion,
reaching even the furthest corridors.
Marcus walked into the kitchen,
wearing a casual woolen sweater instead of his usual bespoke suits,
looking relaxed and incredibly handsome.
He snuck up behind Khloe,
his large arms wrapping around her waist,
pulling her back against his solid chest.
"The house smells incredible,"
he murmured against her neck,
inhaling her scent deeply.
"And you look beautiful."
"You are just trying to get a cookie before they are done,"
she teased,
turning her head to press a quick kiss to his lips.
"Guilty as charged,"
he admitted,
smiling as he reached around her to steal a warm piece from the cooling rack.
From the living room,
the sound of soft classical music played,
interrupted occasionally by Liam’s joyful giggles as he played with the wrapping paper.
He was crawling now,
a tiny force of energy that kept both of them constantly on their toes.
Marcus guided Khloe into the living room,
where they sat together on the floor beside their son,
watching him tear through a colorful box.
"He doesn't care about the toy inside,"
Marcus noted,
amused by the baby's intense focus on the shiny paper.
"He only cares about the noise it makes."
"Children are simple that way,"
Khloe smiled,
leaning her head against Marcus’s shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her.
They sat in the glow of the Christmas tree,
the flickering lights casting warm shadows across the room,
feeling an absolute peace.
A year ago,
they were strangers trapped in a cold contract,
wary of each other's motives and guarded by deep walls.
Now,
they were bound by a love so fierce it had survived the darkest plots and emerged completely triumphant.
Marcus looked down at his wife and son,
May you like
knowing that no matter what challenges the future might hold,
he had already won the ultimate prize.
