Chapter 8 - The Estate in Cherry Hills
By New Year’s Eve, the transition was complete.
Damon hadn't just secured temporary luxury; he had purchased a sprawling, sunlit estate nestled against the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Cherry Hills—ironically, just a few blocks away from Julian’s former property, but infinitely more grand, peaceful, and private.
The house was filled with the sounds of laughter, wrapping paper, and the patter of tiny feet. A massive stone fireplace crackled in the formal living room, casting a warm, golden glow over the hardwood floors where Luke and Violet were busy racing toy cars across the Persian rugs.
Damon stood in the expansive, professional-grade kitchen, wearing a casual cashmere sweater instead of his usual tailored Tom Ford suit, expertly flipping pancakes on the flat-top grill.
Cassandra walked in, wrapped in a plush robe, holding a steaming mug of coffee. She leaned against the kitchen island, watching him with an amused smirk.
“Damon Prescott, billionaire titan of industry, moonlighting as a short-order cook,” she teased, raising an eyebrow. “Should I be worried about your stock portfolio?”
“My stock portfolio has never been in better hands,” Damon replied smoothly, sliding a golden pancake onto a plate and handing it to her with a wink. “Marcus called this morning. The board accepted my restructuring plan. We’re spinning off the logistics division into an independent entity, and I’m taking a six-month sabbatical to focus on family governance and personal investments.”
Cassandra paused, taking a bite of the pancake. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. “A sabbatical? The Damon Prescott I knew wouldn't take a six-hour weekend, let alone six months.”
“The Damon Prescott you knew was an idiot building a monument to his own ego,” Damon said, turning off the grill and walking over to stand right in front of her. He rested his hands on the edge of the island, trapping her gently between his arms. “I spent years believing that ambition was the only currency that mattered. But standing on that plane on Christmas Eve and watching a red crayon roll across my shoe... I realized I was bankrupt where it counted.”
Cassandra set her mug down on the counter, her hands coming up to rest gently against his chest.
“You’ve changed, Damon,” she murmured, her voice soft and filled with affection.
“I finally woke up,” he replied, leaning down to press his forehead gently against hers.
May you like
From the living room, a loud cheer erupted as Luke’s red toy car crashed triumphantly into Violet’s wooden block tower, sending pieces flying in all directions. Both children burst into fits of bright, infectious laughter.
Damon smiled, looking over his shoulder at them before turning his gaze back to the woman who held his entire world in her hands.
