Chapter 10 - THE HOUSE OF LIGHT

Two years later.
The Moretti estate had been officially renamed Casa di Luce—The House of Light.
It was a warm summer morning. The grand estate was filled with children's voices and the sound of birds singing in the gardens.
In the newly built art studio on the second floor, Bella was sitting at an easel, painting a landscape of the lake. She was radiant, wearing a simple linen dress, her pregnancy bump clearly visible—she was six months pregnant with a baby girl.
Down on the green lawn, three-year-old Leo was kicking a small soccer ball around with Dominic, who had become the most devoted uncle in the world, teaching the little boy how to score goals.
Silana walked out onto the patio carrying a tray of fresh lemonade and sliced peaches. He sat down at the wooden garden table, watching his family with a warm, contented smile.
Leo kicked the ball into the net, threw his hands up in the air, and shouted, "GOAL! DADA, LOOK!"
"I saw it, champion!" Silana laughed, clapping his hands. "Great shot!"
Leo ran over to the table, climbing onto Silana's lap, reaching for a slice of peach.
Silana held his son, wiping a smudge of dirt from Leo's nose, looking down at the silver signet ring on his finger.
Bella walked down the patio steps, joining them at the table. She sat beside Silana, leaning her head against his shoulder as the warm summer breeze swept through the trees.
"What are you thinking about, my love?" Bella asked softly.
Silana looked at his wife, at his strong, happy son playing on his lap, and down at the new life growing beneath Bella's hand.
He remembered the cold, dark Tuesday three years ago, when an eight-month-old baby had crawled into his blood-stained office, reaching for his hand.
He had thought it was a tragedy. He had thought it was a ghost.
Now he knew it was a miracle.
"I was thinking," Silana said, kissing Bella's forehead and wrapping his arm around her and Leo, "that the darkest storm always gives way to the brightest morning."
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And under the endless blue sky of Chicago, surrounded by love, security, and peace, the family lived happily ever after.
THE END