Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask (by Silver Spoon) novel Chapter 395

Chapter 395: Chapter 179 Chosen as Daughter

Gemma’s POV

Exhaustion weighed heavily on me as I finally dragged myself toward bed. The family gathering that Zoe and Nadia had orchestrated at the Thorne safe house had been intense, but my body craved sleep. I left Dominic behind, still deep in conversation with the other Capos about territory expansion, clearly too engrossed in family business to retire.

After a hot shower and slipping into comfortable silk pajamas, I collapsed onto the mattress. Sleep claimed me instantly while muffled voices from the war room drifted through the reinforced walls. I was so deeply unconscious that I didn’t register when Dominic eventually joined me in bed.

Which made his brilliant idea to wake me for a sunrise ceremony all the more jarring.

"Wake up, my goddess! Today’s the day," Dominic whispered urgently, his muscular frame draped over mine as he peppered my face with kisses.

I groaned, "What’s with this sudden obsession with dawn?"

"Please, today changes everything. Come on," he begged with the intensity of a soldier before battle.

"I’m exhausted," I protested weakly.

"You’ll have plenty of time to rest after we handle family business," he countered, making me chuckle despite my fatigue.

I opened my eyes to study his face. "Are you absolutely certain about that?"

Dominic glanced toward the bulletproof windows with exaggerated thoughtfulness before admitting, "In our world, nothing’s certain. But please get up—I promise this will be worth everything. I’ve already chosen your outfit."

Recognizing the steel determination beneath his playful tone, I surrendered. "Fine. I’ll shower to wake myself up."

After freshening up, I emerged to find Dominic dressed in an expensive charcoal suit that screamed authority. On the bed lay an elegant navy dress with subtle silver threading that I didn’t recognize.

"Where did this come from?" I asked, examining the sophisticated garment with its structured bodice and flowing skirt that commanded respect.

"I had it specially made for you," Dominic replied, his eyes burning with barely contained excitement. "Will you wear it for me?"

I recognized the telltale signs that Dominic was orchestrating something monumental—the controlled intensity, the predatory smile, the dangerous gleam in his emerald eyes. Deciding to trust him, I slipped into the dress and paired it with the designer heels he handed me.

Hand in hand, we descended the marble staircase as dawn approached. Through the mansion’s reinforced glass doors, I spotted an ornate table on the private terrace overlooking the harbor, covered with pristine white linen. To my surprise, the entire Thorne inner circle was already assembled there, looking remarkably alert for such an early hour despite the late night of family business.

Emotion overwhelmed me. Throughout my life, I’d been abandoned by the man who contributed to my DNA—a coward who only surfaced to cause pain. Yet without realizing it, someone had chosen me as their daughter, someone with no obligation who simply chose to love and protect me. Ryder was filling an enormous void in my heart, giving me something I’d always craved: acceptance and belonging in a world where family meant survival.

He embraced me, and we remained that way until my tears subsided. Zander stood beside us, his smile conveying his wholehearted approval of gaining an official sister.

"Come on, Beautiful, let’s be family forever!" Zander grinned, and I couldn’t help but laugh with pure affection.

"When I came of age, I removed my biological father from all documents because he brought nothing but danger into my life," I explained. "You all supported that decision. It was you, Ryder, who arranged everything exactly as I wanted, never questioning my choices, simply protecting me. In my heart, you’ve been my father since you first eliminated the threats in my neighborhood when I was barely surviving alone. You taught me to fight back against anyone who tried to harm me. Nothing feels more right than having your name officially on my papers as my father—taking the place that’s rightfully yours through blood spilled and loyalty earned."

"Daughter!" Ryder declared, kissing my hands as our family cheered around us with genuine emotion.

We approached the table where the judge shared thoughtful words about the true meaning of family in our world and the sacred value of chosen loyalty. His speech was brief but powerfully moving.

As the sun rose fully over the harbor, casting golden light over our protected territory, Ryder and I signed the legal documents. In that moment, I was reborn as Gemma Valance Shepherd, daughter of Ryder Shepherd and heir to his protection. For the first time in my life, I truly felt like a treasured daughter.

"Thank you, Dad," I said as I embraced Ryder, who was now overwhelmed with fierce pride. It was the first time I’d called him Dad, and from that moment on, that’s what he would be until my dying breath.