Chapter 9 - A New Dawn
One month later.
The dark clouds that had hung over the Moretti empire had completely cleared.
The syndicate council had been thoroughly purged of traitors by Marco and the loyal lieutenants. Ginevra had survived her fall, but was serving a life sentence in a federal psychiatric facility under twenty-four-hour armed guard.
Dominic’s recovery had been remarkably fast, thanks to his physical strength and my relentless, round-the-clock nursing care.
It was a beautiful, warm afternoon in late spring.
I stood on the broad stone terrace overlooking Lake Michigan, holding four-month-old Mateo. The baby was laughing happily, his chubby hands grabbing at the warm summer breeze, his health completely robust.
A pair of strong arms wrapped gently around my waist from behind.
Dominic rested his chin on my shoulder, his warm breath tickling my neck. He was dressed in a simple dark sweater, looking healthy, relaxed, and happier than he had ever been in his life.
"How is my son?" Dominic asked softly, pressing a kiss against my cheek.
"He's perfect," I smiled, leaning back against his broad chest. "And how is my patient?"
"Fully recovered," Dominic replied, turning me gently in his arms so I was facing him, keeping Mateo cradled between us.
Dominic looked into my eyes, his dark gaze filled with a profound, overwhelming tenderness that made my breath catch in my throat.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
He opened it, revealing a stunning, flawless diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly in the sunlight.
"Hannah," Dominic said, his voice deep, trembling slightly with emotion—a rare sound from a man who ruled an empire. "Four months ago, you walked into a room full of dangerous men to save a baby you didn't know. You didn't just save Mateo’s life that night—you saved mine. You brought light, love, and healing into a house that was dead."
Tears gathered in my eyes as I looked at the man I had come to love with every fiber of my soul.
"I don't want you to be my son's nurse anymore, Hannah," Dominic continued, looking directly into my heart. "I want you to be my wife. I want you to be Mateo’s mother. I want to spend the rest of my life protecting you, loving you, and building a world where you never have to feel pain again."
"Dominic..." I choked out, tears of joy spilling over my eyelashes.
"Will you marry me, Hannah?" he asked softly.
I looked at Dominic, then down at sweet little Mateo, who was looking up at us with his big blue eyes, letting out a happy, bubbling coo.
The ghost of my past—the memory of little Leo—no longer felt like a heavy, crushing weight. It felt like a gentle hand guiding me to where I was always meant to be. I hadn't forgotten my son, but I had finally honored his memory by opening my heart to love again.
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"Yes," I whispered, smiling through my tears. "Yes, Dominic. A thousand times yes."
Dominic let out a breathless laugh, sliding the diamond ring onto my finger. He pulled me into his arms, kissing me deeply, passionately, as the warm summer wind swept across the terrace.
