Chapter 8
In the days since arriving in London, I’d taken back the reins of the company and
reestablished Henson Group’s presence overseas.
Nicholas slipped into my office, hands in his pockets, a cool smirk on his face.
“The Sanchez family managed to keep Otto out of prison. But he’ll never practice law again.”
“Oh, and the impostor. Death sentence.”
I didn’t react. I kept flipping through the documents in my hand.
“Noted.”
Whatever storms had swept through Harbor City, the moment the gavel fell, none of it had
anything to do with me anymore.
Maria was sentenced in open court. Eyes red and brimming, she begged to see her father.
Through the heavy bars, she demanded answers.
“Dad, why haven’t you saved me yet?”
Adam looked at her, shame written across his face.
“Maria, I can’t save you. I can barely save myself.”
Maria stared at him, disbelief cracking her voice.
“What the hell are you talking about? The Henson Group has a fortune! You take one fraction of it and you could get me out! If it weren’t for you, my mother would never have been called a
After You Broke Me, I Became the Billionaire’s Bride
She shot to her feet, slamming her fists against the table in a frenzy.
“Adam Swanson! You and I killed Ann’s mother together. Don’t you dare try to wash your hands
of this!”
What he said next drained every last shred of hope from her body. She collapsed to the floor.
“Ann found out everything. She transferred every single company asset overseas. And she
reported me to the police.”
“Maria, what was never ours was never going to stay. I’m sorry.”
Adam stood. Handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
“Mr. Swanson, you are under suspicion of premeditated murder, embezzlement, and
smuggling. Please come with us for questioning.”
Maria laughed. Tears slid past the corners of her eyes.
“Ann Henson! Why? This is all your fault. You took everything from me. I hate you!”
Otto’s evidence tampering was formally investigated by the Bar Association. The Sanchez family burned through their entire fortune to keep him out of prison but locked him inside the family estate, refusing to let him set foot outside.
Nicholas stood and walked over to me, his voice softening.
“Alright, enough about all that. The wedding gown just arrived from Paris today. Let’s go try it
on.”
I pointed at the mountain of paperwork on my desk and laughed helplessly.
After You Broke Me, I Became the Billionaire’s Bride
He scooped me up in his arms.
“Whatever you can’t finish, I’ll handle. Wedding gown. Now.”
At the boutique, the attendant smiled as she smoothed out my train.
“Ms. Henson, this gown is one of a kind. The only one in the world.”
I tilted my head, curious.
“Why only one?”
“Mr. Vance studied art in college. He started designing this gown when he was nineteen. He
flew to Paris himself to oversee every stitch. All of it, just to wait for you.”
I blinked, even more puzzled.
“Wait for me?”
“He keeps a childhood photo of the two of you in his wallet. Whenever anyone asks, he says, ‘She’s the love of my life.’ Over twenty years, he never so much as looked at another woman.
Everyone who knows him knows the person he’s been waiting for is you.”
In that moment, the world around me went soft and blurred.
A childhood memory surfaced.