Chapter 10 - Abundance
One year later.
The Copper Spoon was closed for a private event—the first birthday of Julian and Nadia’s son, Leo Cho.
The restaurant was filled with the rich, intoxicating aroma of roasting meats, fresh baked pies, and laughter. Long tables were pushed together, laden with an immense, beautiful feast that Nadia had personally designed.
Julian sat at the head of the main table, his sleeves rolled up, his navy jacket draped over the back of his chair. In his arms, he held a chubby, laughing baby boy with thick black curls and bright, curious eyes. Julian was feeding him a small piece of soft bread, his face completely transformed by the pure, unadulterated joy of fatherhood.
Nadia stood by the kitchen pass, watching them. She wore a simple green linen dress, her body still full and soft from pregnancy, but her posture was that of a queen who ruled her own empire.
From the back of the kitchen, Aunt Diane stepped out carrying a massive, heavy silver tray loaded with the birthday cake. She had dropped twenty pounds, not from starvation, but from hard, honest labor. Her arrogant smirk was completely gone, replaced by a quiet, humble respect. She set the cake down gently in front of Julian and the baby, then looked toward Nadia.
"Is there anything else you need, Chef?" Diane asked politely, her voice entirely devoid of the venom it used to carry.
Nadia looked at her aunt, feeling absolutely no anger left in her heart. The victory wasn't in punishing Diane; it was in showing her what true strength looked like. "Go sit down and have a plate of food, Diane. You've worked hard today."
Diane’s eyes widened slightly, a flash of gratitude crossing her face. "Thank you, Nadia." She quickly took a seat at the far end of the table, filling a plate with the food she had once told her niece to avoid.
Julian caught Nadia’s eye from across the room. He handed the baby to Beatrice, who was cooing happily, and walked over to where his wife was standing.
He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his warmth immediately enveloping her.
"Everyone is eating well," Julian whispered, his eyes scanning the happy, noisy room.
"That's the point of a kitchen, Julian," Nadia smiled, leaning back against him, her hand resting over his on her waist. "To make sure no one leaves hungry."
Julian kissed the side of her neck, his grip tightening with a fierce, eternal devotion. "You fed a city, Nadia. And you saved a man who forgot what life tasted like."
May you like
Nadia turned in his arms, looking into the dark eyes of the man who had changed everything with a single, quiet gesture. She picked up a strawberry from a nearby prep tray and popped it into her mouth, laughing as he leaned down to steal a taste from her lips.
The city outside was cold, loud, and full of shadows. But inside their walls, there was only warmth, safety, and an abundance of love that would never, ever run out.
