Chapter 8 - The Recovery
By the next morning, the rain had finally stopped.
The heavy storm clouds rolled away toward the Atlantic, leaving behind a crisp, brilliant blue sky and clear spring sunshine that turned the wet lawns of the estate into sparkling emerald fields.
At the central kennels, a team of professional workers was busy replacing the old iron cages with brand-new, heated indoor-outdoor runs.
Inside the private veterinary wing near the main house, Bruno lay on a thick, orthopedic dog bed covered in soft fleece blankets. An IV line was still attached to his front leg, but the gray, desperate look in his eyes was gone. His nose was wet, his breathing smooth, and he had already eaten two full bowls of warm, broth-soaked chicken prepared specially by the executive chef.
Sitting on the floor beside the dog bed was Maya.
She wore a bright yellow cardigan, dark blue jeans, and new red leather shoes provided by the estate’s staff. In her lap sat her pink rabbit lunchbox—now fully stocked with fresh, carved roast turkey from the kitchen.
She gently placed a piece of turkey onto Bruno’s tongue.
Bruno took it happily, letting out a soft, contented thump of his tail against the padded bed.
Dominic walked into the veterinary room quietly. He had stripped off his heavy wool coat and formal suit jacket, wearing a simple dark navy sweater and trousers.
Maya looked up and smiled, her brown eyes shining in the morning sun.
“Look, Mr. Dominic!” she said, pointing to the dog. “His bowl isn't broken anymore! He ate all of it!”
Dominic knelt down beside the bed, placing his large hand on Bruno’s head. The old shepherd leaned into his palm, letting out a long, happy sigh.
“He ate because you helped him, Maya,” Dominic said softly.
Elena stepped into the room carrying a tray with two fresh cups of coffee and a small glass of orange juice for her daughter. She looked completely different from the terrified woman who had run down the gravel path twenty-four hours ago. Her hair was neatly styled, her posture confident, her eyes filled with immense gratitude.
“The veterinary team says he can walk outside by tomorrow afternoon, Mr. Moretti,” Elena said, setting the tray down on a side table.
“Good,” Dominic said, standing up and taking a cup of coffee. “He belongs in the main house now. He’ll sleep in my private study from now on.”
Dominic looked down at Maya, who was now carefully wiping a smudge of turkey juice off Bruno’s ear with a paper napkin.
“Elena,” Dominic said, looking at the young mother.
“Yes, sir?”
“The east guest house near the gardens—it’s been empty since my mother passed away. I want you and Maya to move in there today. It has three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and a private garden.”
Elena gasped, her hand dropping to her chest. “Mr. Moretti... that’s too much! The guest quarters in the service wing are fine—”
“The service wing is for employees,” Dominic said firmly. “You manage the estate staff now. You need a proper home for your daughter.”
Dominic reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, plush toy—a soft white rabbit with long ears, purchased from the high-end toy store in town an hour earlier.
He handed the toy to Maya.
Maya’s eyes went wide. She set her lunchbox down and took the stuffed rabbit, pulling it tightly against her chest.
“For me?” she asked in awe.
“For you,” Dominic said, a rare, faint smile touching the corners of his mouth. “To replace the white rabbits on your lunchbox.”
Maya jumped up from the floor and threw her small arms around Dominic’s knee, hugging him tightly. “Thank you, Mr. Dominic!”
May you like
Dominic froze for a fraction of a second—unused to physical affection from anyone, let alone a four-year-old child. Slowly, he reached down and patted her back gently.
“You’re welcome, little one,” he murmured.
