Chapter 9 - The Siege of the Estate
Six months later.
The Connecticut autumn had transformed the Moretti estate into a breathtaking landscape of vibrant red, gold, and amber leaves.
The lingering scent of sweet poison was completely gone from the house, replaced by the fresh smell of pine, home-cooked food, and the endless sound of children's laughter.
The HVAC system had been completely ripped out and replaced with state-of-the-art medical air filtration units.
Down on the grand front lawn, seven-year-old Lucas and Leo were running across the grass in bright red sweaters, kicking a soccer ball back and forth with Frank and two off-duty guards who were laughing uproariously.
Leo's legs had recovered completely. He was fast, agile, and full of endless, joyful energy. Lucas was standing tall, his weight fully restored, his cheeks rosy and full of life.
I sat on the wide stone terrace, sipping a cup of hot cinnamon tea, wearing a soft cream-colored wool sweater.
A pair of warm, strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind.
Vincent leaned down, resting his chin on my shoulder, pressing a warm kiss against the side of my neck.
"What are you thinking about, Claire?" he asked softly, his deep voice vibrating against my back.
"I was thinking about the day I walked through those iron gates six months ago," I smiled, leaning my head back against his chest. "I thought I was walking into a prison."
"And now?" Vincent asked, turning me around in his arms so I was facing him.
He was wearing a simple dark blue sweater and dark jeans—the ruthless mafia boss completely transformed into a relaxed, deeply happy man who loved his home.
Dr. Harrison Blake and Julian Moretti were serving life sentences in a federal maximum-security penitentiary for attempted murder, corporate fraud, and chemical terrorism. The Moretti syndicate's illegal operations had been permanently restructured into a legitimate global logistics and maritime transport enterprise, completely cleaning the family name for future generations.
"Now it feels like home," I answered honestly, running my fingers through his dark, gray-streaked hair.
Vincent reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.
He didn't drop to one knee like a theatrical actor. He stood tall, looking straight into my eyes with an honesty and devotion that made my throat tighten with emotion.
He opened the box to reveal a magnificent, emerald-cut diamond ring that caught the golden autumn sunlight, sparkling like a brilliant star.
"Claire Morgan," Vincent said, his voice filled with a deep, shaky emotion he didn't bother to hide. "You saved my sons. You healed my broken house. And you showed me that a man like me can still be saved by love."
He took my trembling left hand into his.
"Will you marry me, Claire? Will you be my wife, and a mother to Lucas and Leo?"
I looked past his shoulder at the lawn, where the twin boys had suddenly stopped playing soccer and were standing together, looking up at the terrace with wide, hopeful eyes, holding their hands together like a pair of little angels.
"Say yes, Claire!" Leo shouted at the top of his lungs from the lawn. "Please say yes!"
"We already made room for your clothes in the big closet!" Lucas yelled happily, jumping up and down.
I broke into a bright, tearful laugh, tears of pure happiness spilling down my cheeks.
May you like
I turned back to Vincent, sliding my arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet my lips.
"Yes, Vincent," I sobbed happily against his mouth. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"
