Chapter 9 - The Harmonic Shift
Six months later.
The spring sun turned the waters of the Long Island Sound into a sheet of liquid silver. The private gardens of the Moretti estate were blooming with white roses, blue hydrangeas, and fresh green hedges.
The security was still there—men in suits stood discreetly near the perimeter gates—but the atmosphere of the estate had completely transformed. The cold glass and slate fortress had become a home.
In the sunlit music room, the Bösendorfer piano sat open.
Sitting on the leather bench was Mia.
She looked vibrant, healthy, her cheeks flush with color, wearing a yellow summer dress. Her transplant had been a total success, and six months of recovery had restored her energy completely. She was currently playing a simple two-handed duet with Leo, who sat beside her, smiling serenely as their fingers moved across the ivory keys.
Leo didn't wear his noise-canceling headphones anymore, except during thunderstorm nights. He wore a neat blue linen shirt, his dark hair neatly combed.
I stood near the open glass doors, wearing a white silk dress that flowed softly around my ankles in the ocean breeze.
A heavy, warm arm slid around my waist from behind.
Dante pulled me back against his chest. He wore a light gray suit, his hair slightly longer, looking relaxed, handsome, and deeply content. He rested his chin on my shoulder, inhaling the scent of my hair.
"They sound good together," Dante murmured into my ear.
"Mia has good timing," I smiled, leaning back against his solid warmth. "And Leo is a demanding teacher."
Down on the piano bench, Leo suddenly paused his playing. He turned his head, looking at us across the bright room.
"Piano lady," Leo called out, his voice clear, strong, and confident.
"Yes, Leo?" I called back.
Leo pointed at Dante, then at me, then at himself.
May you like
"One, two, three," Leo said, clicking his fingers together. "Together."
Dante let out a soft laugh, kissing my temple before taking my hand and leading me toward the piano.
