Chapter 14 - THE DAWN OF HEALING
Two months later.
The nightmare that was the Shaw family had finally reached its absolute conclusion. Victoria Shaw pled guilty to federal charges of corporate espionage and extortion, while Evelyn was ordered into a psychiatric facility following her arrest at the river. The headlines that had once plagued our lives were replaced by quiet, everyday peace.
It was a crisp Saturday morning in October.
I stood in the kitchen of Luca’s private estate in Lake Forest—a home he had bought specifically because it was surrounded by acres of quiet woods and high security walls, far from the prying eyes of Chicago media.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cinnamon pancakes filled the air.
Through the French doors leading to the sunlit backyard, I watched Luca running through the fallen autumn leaves with Leo and Maya. The man who used to command boardrooms with a single cold glare was currently wearing an oversized sweater, laughing as he was tackled into a giant pile of leaves by his seven-year-old twins.
A soft knock sounded at the kitchen door. Marco stepped inside, holding a thin leather folder.
"Good morning, Nia," Marco greeted warmly, setting his cup down. "I have the finalized paperwork for the Vance Foundation's expansion into Chicago."
"Thank you, Marco," I smiled, looking over the documents.
"Mr. Moretti spent three hours reviewing those last night," Marco added softly, looking out the glass doors at Luca. "In twenty years of working for him, I’ve never seen him smile like that. You gave him a heart, Nia."
"He found it himself, Marco," I replied quietly.
Out in the yard, Luca dusted leaves off his jacket and caught my eye through the glass. He gave the kids a gentle pat on their heads and walked inside, his amber eyes locked onto mine with that intense, undivided focus that still made my pulse race.
"Morning, beautiful," he murmured, stepping close and pressing a soft kiss to my temple.
"Morning," I smiled, pouring him a cup of coffee. "You have leaf pieces in your hair."
"A small price to pay for losing at leaf-pile wrestling," Luca chuckled, sliding his arms around my waist from behind as I set the coffee pot down. He rested his chin on my shoulder, his warm breath fanning against my neck. "Have I told you today how much I love seeing you in my house?"
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"It’s not your house, Luca," I teased gently, turning around in his embrace and wrapping my arms around his neck. "It’s our home."
Luca’s expression softened into an expression of pure, unadulterated adoration. "Our home," he echoed softly, leaning down to capture my lips in a tender, reassuring kiss that tasted of sweet cinnamon and fresh morning rain.
