Chapter 8 - Shadows of the Past BuriedEven empires built on absolute power require maintenance, but for the Duca family, the storms of the past had finally cleared.
Down in the secure basement of the federal courthouse across town, Arthur Vance’s trial was coming to a swift, unceremonious end. With all of his financial records exposed, his smuggling routes seized, and his inner circle turning state's evidence to save themselves, the once-feared syndicate boss was sentenced to multiple life terms without the possibility of parole.
And Kyle Mercer?
Kyle found himself utterly erased from Boston's high society. Shunned by business associates, stripped of his family's wealth due to failed speculative investments tied to Arthur Vance, and terrified of the very name Duca, Kyle quietly packed a single suitcase and fled the state under the cover of night, disappearing into anonymity in a small town down south where nobody knew his name—and nobody cared.
Back at the estate, life moved with a gentle, beautiful rhythm.
Sophie sat in the sprawling private courtyard surrounded by blooming white roses, watching baby Leo take his first wobbly steps on the emerald-green lawn. Two bodyguards stood discreetly at the perimeter of the garden, but today, they looked less like armed enforcers and more like gentle guardians watching over a peaceful kingdom.
Matteo stepped out onto the patio holding two cups of coffee, walking over to join her. He handed one to Sophie, sitting down on the wooden bench beside her.
"Thinking about the cafe?" Matteo asked knowingly, watching her expression.
Sophie smiled, shaking her head as she took a sip. "Sometimes. Not because I miss the mess, but because of how far we've come. If someone had told me a year ago that a grumpy mafia boss would crash my shift and turn my life upside down..."
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"You would have run the other way," Matteo finished with a rare, genuine smile.
"Actually," Sophie laughed softly, leaning her shoulder against his, "I think I would have dropped the tray a lot sooner."
