Chapter 9 - The Voice of the House
Two months later, the Moretti estate hosted its annual summer gala—a massive, grand event where politicians, business moguls, and family allies gathered under the crystal chandeliers of the main ballroom.
In years past, Rosa had either remained upstairs in her room or sat silently in a corner, an invisible, tragic figure in expensive silk who smiled politely when people patted her hand condescendingly.
Tonight was radically different.
Rosa stood in the center of the grand ballroom wearing a stunning emerald green gown. Beside her stood Lily, dressed in a matching formal dress. The two of them were engaged in a fast, hilarious conversation, signing to each other and bursting into quiet fits of laughter as they watched the pompous guests navigate the room.
When a prominent senator approached Rosa to offer a booming, overly slow verbal greeting—"GOOD TO SEE YOU, MRS. MORETTI"—Rosa didn't flinch or look confused.
She turned smoothly, raised her hands, and signed directly to Mario, who was standing nearby in a sharp tuxedo acting as her official interpreter.
Mario cleared his throat, maintaining a completely stoic face as he translated Rosa's signs aloud to the senator: "Mrs. Moretti says that your suit is tailored remarkably well, Senator, but your tax policy regarding small business imports is utterly disastrous."
The senator’s mouth dropped open in shock. Surrounding guests gasped, then burst into quiet chuckles.
Dante stood near the grand staircase, an arm wrapped securely around Emma’s waist, watching his mother dominate the room with effortless grace.
"She’s terrifying," Dante whispered into Emma’s ear, his breath warm against her skin. "I think she’s planning to run for mayor."
"She’d win," Emma laughed, leaning her head back against his broad shoulder. "She has the highest approval rating in this house."
Dante smiled, kissing the top of her head. He looked down at Emma, his dark eyes filled with a deep, peaceful warmth that had completely replaced the cold, paranoid edge he had carried for years.
"Look at them," Dante said softly, nodding toward Rosa and Lily, who were now teaching two young guard recruits how to sign 'champagne.' "My father spent millions trying to find a medical cure for her hearing. He hired specialists from all over the world. He thought her silence was a disease that needed to be fixed."
Emma turned in his arms, looking up at his handsome face. "And what do you think?"
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"I think her silence wasn't a disease," Dante said, bringing his hands up between them to sign the words as he spoke them aloud. “It was just a room nobody had the key to.”
He lowered his hands and gently cupped Emma’s face, his thumb tracing her cheekbone. "You brought the key, Emma. You didn't just give my mother her voice back. You gave me my family."
