Chapter 10 - The King, the Queen, and the CastleThree months later, the headlines in the New York tabloids were explosive.
“MORETTI SYNDICATE PURGED: MASSIVE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS TARGET MIDWEST CRIME FAMILY.” “ATLANTIC MERIDIAN SCANDAL UNMASKED: STOLEN MILLIONS RETURNED TO PUBLIC TRUST.”
Inside the Moretti estate, however, the morning sun was streaming warmly through the tall windows of the grand kitchen.
The radiator no longer banged. The floor was level. And the air smelled not of bourbon and gunsmoke, but of fresh pancakes and brewed coffee.
Sophia stood by the counter, flipping golden pancakes on the griddle, wearing a soft cream-colored sweater instead of a maid’s uniform.
Near the kitchen island sat a little girl with bouncy curls, wearing two matching red rain boots, happily feeding imaginary tea to Mr. Hops.
"More sugar for the gentleman?" Emma asked brightly.
Dominic Moretti sat across from her, wearing a simple black t-shirt—no suit, no tie, no heavy gold rings. He took a sip from his mug, a genuine, relaxed smile touching his lips.
"Just a little bit," Dominic replied, winking at her.
The heavy kitchen door swung open, and Sophia turned around, holding a plate stacked high with breakfast. Dominic stood up immediately, walking over to her, taking the heavy ceramic plate from her hands with effortless grace.
"You don't have to carry heavy things, you know," Dominic murmured, his arm wrapping naturally around her waist, pulling her close against his chest.
Sophia leaned into him, a bright, beautiful smile lighting up her face as she looked up into his dark, devoted eyes. "I’m a working woman, Mr. Moretti. I don't know how to just sit around."
"Call me Dominic," he whispered, pressing a tender kiss to the top of her head. "And for the record... you’re not a maid anymore."
Emma looked up from her tea party, pointing a sticky finger at both of them. "Are you guys getting married like in the fairy tales?"
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Dominic and Sophia exchanged a long, meaningful glance, sharing a laugh that carried away the shadows of the past forever.
"Something like that, sweetheart," Dominic smiled, pulling them both into his arms. "Something very much like that."
