Chapter 6 - Morning Light
By eight o'clock the following morning, the sun had broken through the coastal clouds, pouring bright, golden light through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Bellucci estate.
The atmosphere inside the mansion was entirely transformed. The cold, rigid aura that had hung over the house during Selene's presence had vanished, replaced by an easy, comfortable warmth.
In the sunlit breakfast nook overlooking the rear garden, Damian sat at a small round glass table. He had traded his suit jacket for a comfortable black cashmere sweater, though his tattoos were still visible along his collar and wrists. He was sipping fresh black coffee while reviewing a stack of morning trade papers.
Sitting across from him was Lily. She wore a bright yellow summer dress, her light-brown curls neatly brushed, happily eating a plate of chocolate chip pancakes topped with whipped cream.
Nora walked into the nook carrying a fresh pot of coffee, looking rested and vastly less anxious than she had the night before.
"More coffee, Mr. Bellucci?" Nora offered politely.
"Thank you, Nora," Damian said, leaning back as she poured the dark liquid into his cup. He set his papers down, looking at her with a calm, thoughtful expression. "Nora, sit down for a moment. We need to discuss your employment."
Nora’s hand faltered slightly on the handle of the coffee pot, a flash of fear returning to her eyes. "Sir? Have I done something wrong? I can pack our things right away—"
"Nora, breathe," Damian interrupted gently, holding up a broad hand. "You haven't done anything wrong. Quite the opposite."
Damian pulled a set of legal documents from his folder and placed them on the glass table.
"As of this morning, Selene Vale’s family firm has been completely severed from all Bellucci corporate holdings," Damian explained smoothly. "I am restructuring the estate's administrative management."
He pushed the documents toward Nora.
"I am appointing you as the primary estate manager," Damian continued. "You will oversee all domestic operations, event planning, and staff scheduling. The salary is triple what you currently earn, and it includes full educational trust funding for Lily through college."
Nora stared at the legal papers in complete shock, her eyes filling with tears of disbelief. "Mr. Bellucci... I... I don't know what to say. I'm just a maid..."
"You are a woman of integrity, Nora," Damian corrected firm and clearly. "And your daughter saved my business from a traitor. You earned this."
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Lily looked up from her pancakes, her mouth smeared with syrup, and offered a big, happy smile. "Does that mean we get to stay in the big house, Mommy?"
Damian let out a low, warm laugh—a sound rarely heard within the walls of the mansion. "Yes, Lily. You get to stay."
