Chapter 23

Spring returned once more,

bringing with it the rebirth of the gardens and the celebration of Liam’s first birthday.

The estate was filled with the sound of laughter,

as Khloe’s close friends and the foundation staff gathered to celebrate the milestone.

A massive cake shaped like a castle stood on the central table,

and Liam sat proudly in front of it,

his hands covered in blue frosting.

Marcus stood slightly back from the crowd,

a glass of champagne in his hand,

watching the scene with a quiet,

profound satisfaction.

Julian walked up beside him,

holding a thin folder,

but his expression was relaxed.

"The quarterly reports are excellent,

sir,"

Julian mentioned quietly,

"but they can wait until Monday."

"Yes,

they can,"

Marcus agreed,

not taking his eyes off his family.

"Some things are infinitely more important than reports,

Julian."

Julian smiled,

bowing his head slightly before stepping back into the crowd to join the festivities.

Khloe looked across the lawn,

her eyes finding Marcus’s through the crowd,

and she gestured for him to come over.

Marcus walked forward,

the crowd parting naturally for him,

but his focus was entirely on the woman holding their son.

He reached them,

accepting a blue,

frosting-covered hand from Liam,

who rubbed it directly onto his father’s pristine white shirt.

The crowd gasped slightly,

knowing Marcus’s usual obsession with perfection,

but Marcus simply laughed,

picking up his son and kissing his messy cheek.

"Happy birthday,

little man,"

Marcus whispered,

holding him close.

Khloe stepped in beside them,

wiping a bit of frosting from Marcus's shirt with a napkin,

her eyes sparkling with love.

"You don't mind the mess?"

she teased,

her voice a soft melody in the warm afternoon air.

"I don't mind any mess,"

Marcus replied,

his free arm wrapping around her waist,

pulling her into his side.

"As long as I am making it with you."

They stood together under the warm spring sun,

the king,

his queen,

and their beautiful prince,

the empire they built together standing stronger than any stone structure ever could.

The night everything broke had passed,

and in its place,

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