Chapter 10 - THE GAP IN THE HEDGESpring arrived in Chicago three months later with an explosion of green leaves and sudden, vibrant color that transformed the frost-bitten landscape of the Reyes estate into a lush paradise.
The privet hedge had grown thicker over the winter, its dense green branches weaving tightly together along the perimeter of the property line.
Except for one spot.
About halfway down the northern fence line, exactly where a small pair of boots had trampled a path through the dirt twelve weeks ago, the gap remained perfectly open. The estate gardeners had tried twice to trim it back into shape, but Luca had personally intervened both times, ordering them to leave the opening untouched.
It was a permanent invitation.
On a bright, warm Saturday afternoon, Luca stood on the back porch in a casual linen shirt, watching the sunlight dance across the emerald-green grass of the baseball diamond. His legs felt strong, steady, and completely his own again—a living testament to the fact that dead things don't try.
Footsteps crunched softly on the gravel path leading up from the garden gate.
Maya came skipping through the gap in the hedge, wearing a bright yellow dress with her hair tied back in a messy ponytail, holding two melting ice cream cones in her hands. Right behind her came Elena, carrying a picnic basket, laughing at something Tommy was shouting as he chased a stray baseball across the lawn.
Maya stopped at the bottom of the porch steps, looked up at Luca, and held out one of the ice cream cones with a cheeky grin.
"It's vanilla," she announced. "The good kind. Not the cheap stuff."
Luca stepped down off the porch, walked across the grass, and knelt down on one knee so he was eye-level with his daughter. He took the cone from her hand, his heart swelling with a fierce, unbreakable pride that no enemy, no poison, and no empire could ever take away.
"Thank you, Captain," Luca said with a solemn nod.
Maya beamed, spun around in a clumsy, uncoordinated dance twirl, and ran off toward the baseball diamond with Tommy yelling her name in pursuit.
Elena walked up beside Luca, handing him a napkin before leaning against his shoulder as they watched the children run across the sunlit grass.
"You know," Elena murmured quietly, her hand slipping into his, "we really should fix that hole in the hedge one of these days."
May you like
Luca smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her close as the warm spring breeze rustled through the green leaves above them.
"Never," Luca said softly. "Some doors are supposed to stay open."
