Chapter 11 - A DECADE OF LOVE
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Two weeks passed in a blur of golden sunlight, crisp walks, and quiet healing.
Under the country air and careful medical treatment, Bruno’s cough vanished completely.
He walked with a noticeable limp, but his eyes were bright, and his appetite had fully returned.
Today was a special milestone: Benjamin’s tenth birthday.
There were no lavish syndicate banquets, no political guests, and no fake smiles.
Instead, the warm kitchen smelled of freshly baked vanilla cake and roasted chicken.
I stood at the island counter, frosting the edges of a double-layered chocolate cake, humming a quiet tune.
Suddenly, two strong arms reached around my waist from behind.
I gasped, freezing with the spatula in my hand.
Luca’s warm chest pressed against my back as he rested his chin lightly on my shoulder.
“You’ve been baking since six in the morning,” he whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear.
“Take a break, Claire.”
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.
“The birthday boy requested chocolate fudge, Luca.”
I smiled, leaning slightly back into his embrace.
“A mother’s recipe cannot be rushed.”
The moment the word slipped past my lips, I caught my breath, horrified by what I had said.
I turned around in his arms, my cheeks burning crimson.
“Luca, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean—”
Luca didn’t let me pull away; his arms tightened gently around my waist, holding me firmly against him.
“Do not apologize for what is true in your heart, Claire.”
His voice was incredibly tender.
“Benjamin calls you his guardian angel.”
“Yesterday, he asked me if you were going to stay with us forever.”
I swallowed hard, looking up into the face of the man I had fallen hopelessly in love with.
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him that depends on whether Claire would allow an old gangster to spend the rest of his life making her happy.”
Before I could answer, Luca reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
He opened it to reveal not a diamond ring, but a delicate silver key attached to a handwritten deed.
“This estate is legally registered in your name, Claire.”
Luca said with absolute gravity.
“Whatever happens to me, whatever happens to my business, you and Benjamin are protected forever.”
“You don’t have to clean for anyone, ever again.”
Tears welled in my eyes and spilled freely down my cheeks.
“Luca, I don’t want a house.”
“I want you.”
“I want this family.”
Luca smiled, cupping my face with both hands, and leaned down to kiss me for the very first time.
The kiss was gentle, fierce, and filled with five years of unspoken longing.
Behind us, a loud bark broke the silence.
We pulled apart laughing to see Bruno sitting proudly in the kitchen doorway, wearing a colorful paper party hat.
Beside him stood Benjamin, grinning from ear to ear with chocolate frosting on his nose.
“I knew it!”
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Benjamin cheered, pumping his fist in the air.
“Bruno and I both knew you loved her, Daddy!”
