Chapter 15 - The Golden SunsetThe penthouse had never felt so quiet, or so much like a real home.
Sarah had successfully managed the transition of the corporate restructuring, and for the first time in months, the Duca Tower was free of corporate espionage, corrupt executives, and hidden threats.
I was standing by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the master suite, watching the last rays of the golden Manhattan sunset bleed across the horizon.
Footsteps approached softly from behind. A pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me backward against a warm, solid chest. Alessandro rested his chin gently on my shoulder.
“What are you thinking about?” he whispered against my ear.
“I was thinking about three months ago,” I smiled faintly. “When I was hiding behind those Egyptian cotton towels, terrified you were going to throw me out on the street.”
Alessandro chuckled, a deep, warm sound that vibrated against my back.
“You were the worst spy in corporate history, you know,” he teased gently. “Hiding a baby in a multi-million-dollar penthouse using a basket of laundry and a knitted bear.”
“Hey,” I protested playfully, turning around within his embrace to face him. “That laundry basket kept us fed and sheltered.”
“It did,” Alessandro agreed, his tone suddenly shifting from playful to intensely serious. His dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with a quiet, fierce devotion. “And it brought you to me.”
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box that I hadn't seen before.
My breath caught in my throat.
Alessandro didn't kneel—he didn't need to. He simply opened the box, revealing a stunning, custom-designed diamond ring that caught the amber light of the sunset.
“I’m not a man who believes in fairy tales, Claire,” Alessandro said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “I believe in contracts, loyalty, and survival. But from the moment Mia grabbed my tie and you looked at me like I was the most terrifying monster on earth... I knew I never wanted you to leave this home.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, hot and fast, but this time, there was no fear. Only a profound, overwhelming peace.
“Is this another corporate contract?” I whispered, a watery smile touching my lips.
“No,” Alessandro murmured, sliding the sparkling ring onto my trembling finger. “This is the only rule in this house that will never, ever change.”
Before I could answer, a small, cheerful squeal came from the doorway of the nursery.
We both turned. Mia was standing holding onto the doorframe, steadying herself on her own two feet for the very first time, clapping her hands and laughing.
“Da!” she babbled brightly, looking straight at Alessandro.
And then, looking up at me, she gave her very first clear, triumphant word:
May you like
“Ma!”
Alessandro laughed—a bright, genuine sound that I had rarely heard from the billionaire who ruled Manhattan—and pulled both of us into his arms as the city lights flickered to life below us, burning brighter than the stars.
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