Chapter 9 - THE NEW FAMILY
Three weeks later.
The sun was shining brilliantly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the DeLuca estate, casting warm, golden pools of light across the hardwood floors.
I stood in the kitchen, slicing apples, watching the peaceful scene unfolding in the living room.
My mother sat in a plush armchair, a cozy blanket draped over her lap. Her back surgery had been completely paid for by Gabriel, and she was now receiving top-tier physical therapy from a private nurse in the safety of our new permanent suite on the ground floor.
Gabriel had insisted. He refused to let her return to any facility, completely dismantling the corrupt company Isabella's family had built.
Isabella was awaiting trial in federal lockup, facing charges for fraud, extortion, and the murder of Elena DeLuca. She would never see the outside of a prison cell again.
"Hannah," a deep voice murmured right behind my ear.
I smiled, turning around. Gabriel leaned against the kitchen counter, wearing a casual gray sweater, looking years younger than the rigid mafia boss I had met eight months ago.
"Yes, Mr. DeLuca?" I teased.
He gently caught my chin, his thumb brushing my lower lip. "I thought we agreed you'd stop calling me that."
"Old habits," I whispered, leaning into his touch.
Since that night at Westbridge, everything had changed. I wasn't a waitress anymore. Gabriel had asked me to stay, not as an employee, but as a permanent part of their lives. We were taking it slow, but the connection between us was undeniable, forged in the fire of protecting the little girl we both loved.
A sudden tug on my jeans made me look down.
Sophie stood there, holding a beautifully painted canvas. She had spent the entire morning working on it in the garden.
Look, she signed, her eyes shining with pride.
I knelt down to examine the painting.
It was a picture of a house. But it wasn't the cold, empty estate it used to be. It was bright and colorful.
There were four stick figures standing in the front yard, holding hands.
A tall man with dark hair.
A woman with a bright smile.
An older woman sitting in a chair.
And a little girl in the middle, wearing purple butterfly hearing aids.
Who is this? Gabriel asked in sign language, pointing to the canvas.
Sophie giggled.
Family, she signed back, her hands moving with absolute, undeniable certainty. My family.
Gabriel knelt beside me. He wrapped one arm around his daughter, and the other around my waist, pulling us both close.
May you like
I looked at my mother, resting peacefully in the next room. I looked at the man who had torn down his world to save us. And I looked at the little girl who finally felt safe enough to speak her heart.
For the first time in my life, I knew exactly where I belonged.
