Chapter 9 - The Family Table
Three months later.
Spring had arrived at the Moretti Estate. The cold ocean winds were replaced by warm sunshine, and the grand gardens were blooming with bright red roses and fragrant jasmine.
In the grand dining room, sunlight poured through the high glass doors overlooking the terrace.
The long mahogany dining table—which had sat empty and cold for fifteen years while Dante ate his solitary dinners—was covered with fresh flowers, silver serving platters, and hot dishes of homemade Italian pasta.
At the head of the table sat Dante, wearing a simple navy blue sweater and dark trousers, looking relaxed and younger than he had in decades.
To his right sat Clara. Her skin was glowing, her dark hair styled loosely over her shoulders, wearing a yellow summer dress that brought out the warmth in her hazel eyes. She was laughing as she watched Lily try to feed a piece of garlic bread to Dante’s massive, intimidating guard dog, a Neapolitan Mastiff named Nero, who was sitting patiently beside her chair.
“Lily, don't feed the dog from your plate,” Clara scolded gently, though her smile gave her away.
“Nero likes bread, Mama!” Lily insisted, her small chin sticking out stubbornly.
Dante chuckled, reaching over to pick up his wine glass. “Let her feed him, Clara. Nero has been protecting her all morning anyway.”
Lily giggled, patting the giant dog’s heavy head before looking up at Dante.
“Mr. Dante?” she asked, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity.
Dante put his glass down, leaning toward his daughter. “Yes, little bird?”
Lily pulled her worn stuffed rabbit from her lap, holding it up proudly. “Rabbit says thank you for fixing Mama’s tea.”
Dante’s expression softened into an expression of pure, unadulterated love. He reached out, taking Lily’s small hand in his large, calloused palm.
“Your mama fixed her own tea, Lily,” Dante said softly, looking over at Clara, whose eyes were shining with deep affection. “And you brought us all back together.”
Lily beamed, taking another bite of her pasta.
After lunch, Dante and Clara walked out onto the sunlit terrace while Lily ran through the grass with Nero under the watchful, smiling eye of Marco.
Clara leaned her back against Dante’s chest, wrapping her arms around his arms as he held her securely from behind.
“The legal documents came through from Manhattan this morning,” Clara mentioned softly, looking out at the glittering sea. “My identity is completely restored. Lily’s birth certificate has been updated.”
Dante rested his chin on top of her head. “Lily Moretti.”
“Yes,” Clara smiled, turning in his arms to face him. “Lily Moretti.”
Dante reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. He opened it to reveal an exquisite heirloom ring—a deep blue sapphire surrounded by brilliant diamonds.
“You hid in my house for six months to stay close to me,” Dante murmured, his dark eyes locking onto hers with absolute devotion. “Now I want you to stay in my life forever. Marry me, Clara.”
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Clara didn't hesitate for even a fraction of a second. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down for a deep, passionate kiss that felt like the beginning of a whole new life.
“Yes,” she whispered against his lips. “Always yes.”
