Chapter 8 - The Table Built for Twenty-Four
Autumn returned to Cook County, turning the trees around the Moretti estate into brilliant shades of amber, crimson, and gold.
Inside the grand dining room of the mansion, a historic change was taking place.
The long mahogany dining table—the table built for twenty-four people that had stood empty and silent for three years—was fully set with fine china, glowing candles, and silver platters.
Tonight, it was not empty.
Sitting at the head of the table was Adrian Moretti, wearing a comfortable sweater, a warm smile on his face.
To his right sat Sofia, glowing with beauty and contentment, holding a glass of red wine.
To his left sat Emma, sitting on a boosted cushion, proudly using a small silver fork to eat a large piece of roast chicken prepared by Rosa Alvarez.
Around the rest of the long table sat Marcus Hale, Charles Bennett, Cook Rosa, and several senior staff members who had served the estate for decades. Adrian had insisted that from this day forward, Sunday dinners would be shared by everyone who made the house a home.
Laughter and warm conversation filled the grand room, echoing off the high ceilings and oil paintings that had once known only cold silence.
On the fireplace mantle, flanked by glowing candles, stood three photographs: One of Daniel Romano smiling in his mechanic’s shirt; One of Elena and Claire playing in the sunflower garden; And a brand-new photograph of Adrian, Sofia, and Emma laughing together on the shores of Lake Michigan.
"Uncle Adrian!" Emma called out from her chair, wiping a spot of gravy from her chin with a napkin. "Can we go water the sunflowers tomorrow before school?"
"Of course, small one," Adrian smiled warmly, leaning over to adjust her napkin. "The flowers always need their water."
Sofia looked across the table at her husband, reaching under the white linen tablecloth to squeeze his hand gently. "She’s growing so fast, Adrian. Soon those yellow boots won't fit her anymore."
May you like
Adrian looked down at his wife, pulling her hand up to press a soft kiss against her knuckles.
"Then we'll buy her new ones in every size until she's grown," Adrian said softly. "In every color she wants."
