He Chose The Maid Over The Heiress Chapter 10

He Chose The Maid Over The Heiress Chapter 10

Kimberly POV 

The sun in Palermo hits differently. It is heavier here, gold and thick, dripping like honey. 

I stood gripping the fence of the racetrack. The thunder of hooves vibrated up through the soles of my boots. 

Then, Lily flew past on a white mare. Her form was impeccable. Back straight, hands low. She didn’t just look fierce. She looked like a Queen in training. 

She crossed the finish line three full lengths ahead of the pack. 

The crowd erupted. I clapped until my hands stung. 

“Signora Miller?” 

I turned. 

A man stood there. He was tall, dark, possessing the kind of face that started wars and ruined lives. He wore a crisp linen suit that likely cost more than the horse my daughter was riding. 

“I know who you are,” I said, my voice flat. 

“Lorenzo Moretti. The second son of the Sicilian boss.” 

He smiled. It was a sharp, dangerous smile. 

“My father sends his regards,” Lorenzo said smoothly. “He admires how you handled the… situation in New York.” 

I turned back to the track, dismissing him. “Tell your father I 

don’t need his admiration.” 

Lorenzo stepped closer, invading my personal space to lean. on the fence beside me. 

“It is a lonely throne, Duchess,” he murmured. “A woman like you… you need a King. To protect the borders.” 

I laughed, a dry sound. 

I looked at him then–really looked at him. I took in the faint scar on his chin, the print of the gun holstered under his jacket, and the unchecked arrogance in his eyes. 

He was a wolf. But he didn’t realize I was the one holding the leash. 

“Lorenzo,” I said. 

“Yes?” 

“Look at my daughter.” 

He glanced toward Lily, who was accepting a trophy, beaming brighter than the sun. 

“She is safe,” I said firmly. “She is happy. And she is free.” 

I turned to face him fully, letting him see the steel in my gaze. 

“I burned my life to the ground to get here. I walked through fire to clean the rot out of my house.” 

I stepped closer, turning the tables and invading his space. 

“I don’t need a King, Lorenzo. I have an army. I have an empire. And I have my freedom.” 

Without waiting for a response, I walked away from him. 

I walked toward my daughter. 

She saw me coming and ran to the fence. “Mommy! Did you 

see?” 

“I saw, baby.” 

She scrambled over the fence and jumped into my arms. 

“We are going to get gelato,” she announced. 

“Yes,” I said, kissing her cheek. “We are.” 

I carried her toward the exit. I didn’t look back at the handsome man in the linen suit. I didn’t look back at the ghost 

of my marriage. 

I looked forward. 

The road was open, and the sun was warm on my skin. 

And for the first time in my life, the crown didn’t feel heavy. 

It finally felt like it belonged to me.