The Clumsy Maid Bathed the Mafia Boss’s Savage Dog, but When the Animal Chose Her, the Secrets Buried in His Mansion Began to Surface

Six months later, summer had arrived in full bloom across the Lake Geneva estate.

The heavy iron gates at the entrance of the property were locked, but they no longer felt like the walls of a prison or a fortress. The high stone walls were covered in bright red climbing roses, and the wide lawns were green, vibrant, and filled with the warm scent of summer grass.

In the newly renovated west wing, the tall French doors stood wide open to a sun-drenched stone terrace overlooking the sparkling blue water of the lake.

A grand Steinway piano sat near the open doors.

Evelyn sat on the cushioned bench, wearing a light cream sundress, playing a bright, triumphant concerto by Mozart. Her fingers moved across the keys with flawless grace, her face illuminated by the afternoon light.

Lying across the cool stone of the terrace outside was Titan, his thick black coat gleaming in the sun, his heavy tail thudding rhythmically against the floorboards in time with her music.

Footsteps approached from the garden.

Gabriel stepped onto the terrace, wearing a white linen shirt and dark trousers, holding a single, fresh white rose he had just picked from the conservatory.

He walked quietly up behind her, setting the rose gently on the piano keys beside her hands.

Evelyn stopped playing, turning her head to look up at him with a warm, brilliant smile that transformed her whole face. "Is it time?"

"The guests are arriving at the front courtyard, my love," Gabriel said, leaning down to press a soft kiss against her forehead. "Dr. Arispe and Rosa are setting out the cake."

Evelyn stood up, smoothing down her cream dress. She reached for Gabriel's hand, lacing her soft fingers securely through his heavy, calloused ones.

Together, they walked out onto the sunny terrace. Titan immediately stood up, stretching his long legs, and trotted happily beside them, his nose nudging Evelyn’s hand every three steps.

As they reached the top of the grand courtyard steps—the very spot where, eight months ago, a starving, clumsy girl in a threadbare uniform had dropped a bucket of water on a feared monster—Evelyn looked around at her home.

The estate staff stood along the terrace, smiling and clapping; Rosa held a basket of fresh rose petals; and the sun reflected like gold across the deep, peaceful waters of the lake.

Evelyn looked up into Gabriel’s dark, loving eyes, then down at the massive black dog walking proudly at her side.

"You know," she whispered, leaning her head against Gabriel’s shoulder as they descended the stone steps into the sunlight, "I still think dropping those water buckets was the best mistake I ever made."