Chapter 14 - CATHERINE'S TRIUMPH
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Six months later, the spring breeze off Lake Michigan carried the sweet fragrance of blooming lilacs across the estate gardens.
The grand ballroom of the Romano mansion was bathed in warm, golden afternoon light.
Long banquet tables covered in crisp white damask linen were arranged in a wide horseshoe beneath the crystal chandeliers.
At the center of the room sat the restored nineteen-twenty-two silver service, polished until it gleamed like liquid mirrors.
Today was not a wedding for high-society politicians or rival mafia dons.
Today was the annual Romano Family Foundation celebration, honoring the workers, foremen, and staff who kept the empire running.
Over two hundred people filled the ballroom: dockworkers in clean suits, maids, cooks, security guards, and construction engineers.
At the head of the center table sat my father, Thomas Hayes.
He wore a brand-new navy suit that Gabriel had custom-ordered for him, laughing heartily with Nicholas and Isabella.
His blood pressure was normal, his construction company was booming, and he looked ten years younger than he had six months ago.
I stood near the grand terrace doors, watching the room with a deep, peaceful satisfaction warming my heart.
I wore an emerald-green silk gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline, my dark hair swept up in an elegant chignon.
Around my neck rested a delicate diamond necklace that Gabriel had given me on our first anniversary last week.
My right hand had completely healed, leaving only three faint, pale lines across my knuckles—a badge of honor I wore without shame.
A young server, the same girl who had brought me a glass of water in the kitchen six months ago, approached with a tray of champagne flutes.
“Mrs. Romano,” the girl said with a shy, respectful smile.
“Is everything to your satisfaction?”
“It’s perfect, Maria,” I replied warmly, taking a glass from her tray.
“Thank you for all your hard work today.”
“We love working for you, ma’am,” Maria whispered, her cheeks flushing with genuine pride.
“Since you took over the estate management, nobody gets yelled at, our healthcare was doubled, and we actually get our weekends off.”
“The whole staff would march through fire for you.”
A warm, familiar hand slid gently around my waist from behind.
Gabriel leaned down, his lips brushing against my temple with sweet familiarity.
He wore a classic black tuxedo without a tie, his collar open slightly, radiating the relaxed confidence of a king whose borders were secure.
“Are you monopolizing my wife, Maria?” Gabriel teased gently.
“No, Don Gabriel!” Maria laughed, quickly bowing her head and retreating toward the kitchen with her tray.
Gabriel turned me in his arms until I was facing him, his dark eyes sparkling with adoration.
“You look breathtaking, Catherine,” he murmured, his gaze sweeping over my emerald gown.
“You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. Romano,” I teased, smoothing the lapels of his tuxedo.
“Your father just challenged Marco to an arm-wrestling match at the head table,” Gabriel noted with an amused chuckle.
“Please tell me you stopped him,” I laughed, covering my face.
“Of course not,” Gabriel grinned.
“I put five hundred dollars on your father.”
“He has forty years of concrete hauling in those arms; Marco doesn't stand a chance.”
The sound of clinking crystal echoed across the ballroom as Nicholas stood up from the family table, holding a champagne glass high.
The room quieted down, every face turning toward the young couple.
“A toast!” Nicholas announced, his voice carrying clearly beneath the chandeliers.
“To the woman who saved my wedding, saved our family’s honor, and taught this entire city what real strength looks like.”
Nicholas turned his glass directly toward me.
“To Donna Catherine!”
Two hundred voices rose in a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the estate.
“To Donna Catherine!”
Men raised their beer bottles and champagne flutes, cheering with a genuine, overwhelming loyalty that money could never purchase.
My father stood up, wiping a proud tear from his eye, raising his glass with a broad, beaming smile.
Tears of joy pricked my eyes as I looked out over the sea of smiling faces.
Six months ago, I had been ordered to crawl into the kitchen like a stray dog.
Today, I stood in the center of the light, loved, revered, and unbreakable.
Gabriel turned me toward him, his hand coming up to cup my cheek with infinite tenderness.
“You built this, Catherine,” he whispered, his voice thick with raw emotion.
“You gave this house a soul.”
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“We built it together, Gabriel,” I answered, leaning into his touch.
He smiled, leaning down to press his lips against mine in a deep, passionate kiss that sealed our victory before the entire world.
