Page 34 of Bound in Matrimony

The acceptance in her voice—the complete lack of surprise or criticism—reinforces what I already knew: Seraphina understands me in ways no one else ever has.

"There's more," I tell her, encouraged by her reaction. "The main residence is being constructed now. Everything you could want—a studio with perfect natural light for your painting, a library, spaces for Claire to grow and explore safely. But there's also a complete security system, medical facilities staffed year-round, sustainable power and water supplies, agricultural areas to grow our own food."

Her eyes widen slightly. "You're not just thinking of vacations, are you?"

I hesitate, then decide on complete honesty. "I want it to be our primary home. Not immediately—I understand your career, your connections here. But eventually. A place where Claire can grow up free from the constraints and dangers of the city."

Seraphina is quiet for a long moment, absorbing the full implications of what I'm proposing. Not just a luxury retreat, but a complete life change. A withdrawal from the world into our own private domain.

"What about your company?" she finally asks. "Vance Industries is here in Manhattan. Your entire empire."

"My empire exists to serve one purpose now—securing the future for you and Claire. I can run most operations remotely. For the rest, I'll commute when necessary."

She shakes her head, not in refusal but in wonder. "You'd do that? Restructure your entire business model? For us?"

"For you. For her. For the family we're building." I shift Claire to my shoulder as she begins to stir, patting her back in the rhythm I've discovered soothes her instantly. "There's nothing I wouldn't change, nothing I wouldn't sacrifice, to keep you both safe and happy."

Seraphina moves closer, her head resting against my free shoulder, her hand coming up to cover mine on Claire's back. The three of us connected, a perfect circuit.

"When can we see it?" she asks, surprising me.

"You want to?"

She lifts her head to meet my eyes. "Of course I want to see our island. Though I'm going to need some time to get used to saying that sentence."

Relief washes through me, followed by a surge of something warmer. Not just acceptance, but enthusiasm. "As soon as you feel ready to travel with Claire. The temporary structures arealready in place. The permanent residence won't be complete for another six months, but we can stay comfortably while we're there."

"And it's completely private? No chance of photographers or intrusions?"

"None." The word comes out harder than I intended, revealing the depth of my concern about privacy since Claire's birth. The paparazzi's interest in Seraphina increased tenfold once she became my wife, and Claire's arrival sparked a feeding frenzy that tested the limits of my legal team's abilities. "The entire island is invisible to surveillance. The security perimeter extends five miles into the surrounding waters. No one approaches without our explicit permission."

Instead of finding this extreme, Seraphina nods. "Good. Claire deserves to grow up without cameras in her face."

Her easy acceptance of what many would consider paranoid security measures confirms yet again why she's perfect for me. She understands the threats without needing to experience them firsthand.

Claire begins to fuss in earnest, her tiny face scrunching with the precursors to a full cry. Seraphina reaches for her, our daughter transferring seamlessly from my arms to hers.

"An island," she murmurs, more to herself than to me, as she begins to rock Claire gently. "Our own private world."

"Too much?" I ask, still uncertain despite her positive reaction.

She looks up at me, her green eyes clear and direct. "For anyone else, maybe. For Knox Vance? It's exactly what I'd expect." Her free hand finds mine, squeezing gently. "Most women get flowers or jewelry. I get an island. It's perfectly, wonderfully you."

The last of my tension dissolves. She understands. Of course she does. This brilliant, perceptive woman who accepted myobsessive nature long ago, who recognizes that my need to protect and possess comes from a place of absolute devotion.

"There's one more thing," I tell her, reaching for my phone again. "The island needs a name for the official registry. I thought..." I hesitate, suddenly uncertain. "I thought we might call it Claire Island."

Seraphina's eyes shine with unexpected tears. "You're naming it after our daughter?"

"It exists because of her. Because of you. Because of what you've both given me." I find myself struggling to articulate emotions I'm still learning to express. "A purpose beyond ambition. A reason beyond success."

She leans forward, pressing her lips to mine in a kiss that says more than words could. When she pulls back, there's a certainty in her eyes that matches my own.

"Claire Island," she agrees. "Our sanctuary."

As I watch her with our daughter, I feel the familiar fierce protectiveness that has driven me since the day I met her, intensified a thousandfold since Claire's birth. The island is just the beginning. I'll reshape the world if necessary, rebuild my empire from the ground up, change every aspect of my life to ensure they remain safe and happy.

Because nothing—not power, not wealth, not success—means anything without them.

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