Chapter 10 - A New Architecture
Six months later.
The Long Island estate was bathed in warm, autumn sunlight. In the sprawling gardens, Sofia was laughing—a bright, beautiful sound—as she chased a golden retriever puppy across the grass.
Nora sat on a wrought-iron bench, watching her, a profound sense of peace settling over her heart. Her brother Leo was thriving in university. The medical debts were a bad dream. And she was deeply, wildly in love.
Footsteps crunched on the gravel path. Damian walked up behind her, dressed in a casual black sweater, looking relaxed and younger than he had in years. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the side of her neck.
"She's doing so well," Damian murmured, his eyes on his daughter.
"She's happy," Nora smiled, leaning back against his chest. "We all are."
Damian stepped around the bench, coming to stand in front of her. The fearsome mafia boss looked suddenly nervous. He reached into his pocket and slowly dropped to one knee.
Nora gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as Damian opened a small velvet box. Inside rested a diamond ring that caught the sunlight in a blinding, flawless sparkle.
"Nora Bellamy," Damian said, his voice thick with emotion. "You walked into a store one day and saved my daughter from the cruelty of the world. Then, you saved me from myself. You are the bravest, kindest woman I have ever known. Let me spend the rest of my life protecting you, loving you, and giving you everything you deserve. Will you marry me?"
Tears spilled down Nora’s cheeks. She didn't think about the past, or the darkness, or the blood. She only saw the man who had bought a building just to defend a child, the man who had burned an empire to keep her safe.
"Yes," Nora sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, Damian."
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Damian caught her, burying his face in her shoulder as Sofia ran over, tackling them both in a joyous hug.
The monsters of the world still existed, but Nora knew they would never reach her again. She had the biggest, most dangerous monster of them all entirely wrapped around her little finger—and his heart belonged completely to her.
