Chapter 6 - The Shadows of the Past
Three months later.
The DeLuca Estate had been completely transformed.
The cold, sterile limestone hallways that once echoed with Victoria's harsh demands were now filled with light, laughter, and color. The grand ballroom on the main floor had been converted into an art studio and playroom for Wren, filled with giant teddy bears, painting easels, and a miniature indoor treehouse that Luca had spent three weekends building with his own hands.
Maren stood in the sunlit kitchen, wearing a simple wool sweater, pouring hot coffee into two mugs.
Over the past three months, she had watched Luca transform from a hardened corporate titan into a devoted, doting father. He never missed a school play, never missed a parent-teacher conference, and insisted on driving Wren to school every single morning, no matter how busy his corporate schedule was.
And slowly, tenderly, the deep love that had once bound Maren and Luca together in Maine eight years ago began to bloom again from the ashes of their shared grief.
Luca stepped into the kitchen, wearing a dark blue suit, holding a leather briefcase. He walked up behind Maren, wrapping his arms gently around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder, smelling the sweet scent of her hair.
"Good morning," Luca murmured softly, kissing her jaw line.
Maren smiled, leaning back against his chest, her hands resting over his on her waist. "Good morning. Did you finish the board meeting prep?"
"It took twenty minutes," Luca chuckled softly into her neck. "Without Grandmother and Julian causing trouble, the board is actually surprisingly efficient."
Suddenly, the front intercom chimed softly.
Luca’s chief security officer, Marcus, stepped into the kitchen, holding an encrypted tablet. His face was unusually serious.
"Boss," Marcus said quietly. "We have a situation at the gate."
Luca instantly straightened up, his eyes narrowing, his hand moving protectively in front of Maren. "What is it?"
"It's Victoria," Marcus reported, showing the screen. "She’s standing outside the main iron gate. She doesn't have security, she doesn't have lawyers. She’s alone, sir. She says she wants five minutes with you and Miss Maren."
Maren looked at Luca, her pulse quickening. "Luca..."
May you like
Luca stayed quiet for a long moment, staring at the camera feed on the tablet. The old woman standing outside the gate looked frail, broken, shivering in her dark coat against the chilly autumn wind, holding her silver cane with trembling hands.
"Tell security to let her in," Luca said quietly. "But keep her in the tea room."
