Chapter 10 - The Sovereign Heart
Five years later.
The sun was setting over the Pacific coast, turning the sky into a breathtaking canvas of deep violet, fiery orange, and soft pink.
On the wide terrace of the Ferraro seaside estate in Newport, a large family table was set with fresh flowers, silver candles, and warm platters of Italian food.
Old Marco and Dominic sat at the far end of the table, laughing warmly as they shared glasses of red wine, telling stories about the old days to a group of young, legitimate company managers.
Out on the lawn, nine-year-old Milo was teaching his four-year-old sister Elena how to fly a colorful dragon kite in the evening breeze. The little girl’s joyful laughter echoed over the sound of the crashing ocean waves below.
Salvatore stood near the wooden railing of the terrace, wearing a comfortable black sweater and dark trousers, leaning lightly on his cane, watching his children play.
Nadia stepped out from the French doors, wearing a elegant white dress that flowed around her ankles in the warm breeze.
She walked over to her husband, sliding her arms around his waist from behind, resting her cheek against his strong back.
Salvatore turned around in her embrace, pulling her into his arms, kissing her forehead gently.
“What are you thinking about, my love?” Nadia asked softly, looking up into his peaceful gray eyes.
Salvatore looked out at his children running across the green lawn under the glowing evening sky.
He looked at his wife, whose love had restored his soul and given him a life far greater than any criminal empire could ever promise.
He reached into his pocket, his fingers gently touching the smooth, cold surface of the small wooden soldier he carried with him everywhere he went.
“I’m thinking,” Salvatore whispered, his voice rich with quiet, absolute happiness, “that a man can lose everything he owns... his strength, his power, his name... and still be the richest man on earth if he finds the right heart to hold him.”
Nadia smiled, reaching up on her tiptoes to kiss his lips as the stars began to twinkle softly above the ocean.
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The silent child had given him a wooden soldier.
And in return, heaven had given him a home that would endure forever.
