Chapter 9 - The Thanksgiving of the GiantsThe dining room of the Winnetka mansion was filled with the warm, rich scent of roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, and fresh pumpkin pies baking in the kitchen.
For the first time in the history of the estate, the thirty-seat formal table was covered in colorful paper turkeys, hand-painted place cards, and a massive, messy centerpiece made of autumn leaves and pinecones the boys had collected from the yard.
Alexander sat at the head of the table, wearing a comfortable charcoal sweater, his pale blue eyes scanning the room with a quiet, profound satisfaction.
Beside him sat Grace, her emerald green velvet dress catching the golden light of the candles, her hand resting securely in his beneath the table.
Around them sat their three sons.
Carter was wearing his cardboard crown, his face lit with a massive, toothy grin as he explained why the turkey needed to be protected by a dragon. Thomas sat close to Grace, his small hand holding hers, his ragged bear tucked under his arm but no longer representing his only comfort. Finn was kneeling on his chair, humming a bright, cheerful tune as he helped himself to another mountain of mashed potatoes.
“Grace?” Finn asked, his voice clear and confident as he looked at her. “Can we build a giant castle out of the pie boxes after dinner?”
“Of course we can, buddy,” Grace said, her smile radiant as she met Alexander’s eyes. “But only if the giant helps us build the roof.”
“The giant is ready,” Alexander laughed, his arm wrapping around Grace’s waist, his lips pressing a warm kiss against her hair.
The double doors of the dining room opened, and Richard Sterling stepped inside, carrying a final legal folder under his arm. He paused when he saw the warm, laughing family around the table, a genuine, tired smile breaking across his face.
“I apologize for the interruption, Alexander,” Sterling said. “But the Swiss court has just finalized the custody decree. Sophia’s appeal has been denied with prejudice. The DuPont import firm has been dissolved, and her travel rights within the United States have been permanently suspended.”
Alexander raised his glass of wine, his eyes locking onto Grace’s face with an absolute, unyielding devotion.
May you like
“To the new board,” Alexander said.
“To the family,” Grace whispered.
