Chapter 10 - The Unwritten Page
The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant shades of violet and gold over the Rickai estate. Inside the master suite, the heavy mahogany doors stood wide open—a permanent testament to a rule that no longer existed.
Lena stood in the doorway of the nursery that had been custom-built for Sophia down the hall, watching Dante tuck the little girl into her bed. He pulled the blankets up to her chin, making sure the yellow blanket was tucked safely beside her.
"Tell me a story, Mr. Dante," Sophia whispered, her eyelids growing heavy.
Dante sat on the edge of the mattress, running a gentle hand over her dark curls—the silver at his temples catching the soft glow of the bedside lamp.
"Once upon a time," Dante began, his voice deep and warm, echoing softly through the peaceful rooms of a house that was finally a home, "there was a man who lived in a very big house filled with silence. He thought he ruled the world, but he was completely alone."
"Did he find a friend?" Sophia murmured, her breathing slowing down.
Dante looked over his shoulder and caught Lena’s warm, understanding gaze standing in the doorway. He turned back to the little girl, a genuine, uncalculated smile breaking across his face.
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"Yes," Dante whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "She knocked three times. And he never locked the door again."
Within moments, Sophia was fast asleep. Dante stood up, walked out of the room, and joined Lena in the hallway. They stood together in the warm, golden light, listening to the quiet, beautiful hum of a house filled with life, ready for every chapter yet to be written.
