Chapter 7 - The Strike at Dawn
The relocation to the Gallo estate in the Berkshire Hills was completed by noon the following day.
The mountain villa was an impenetrable fortress built of stone and reinforced steel, surrounded by two hundred acres of private pine forest. An entire wing was converted into a state-of-the-art medical suite where Dr. Evans and two private nurses monitored Keo’s trial progress.
For two weeks, the estate became a haven.
Keo’s lab results were extraordinary. The experimental trial was working—his white blood cell count was stabilizing, and for the first time in a year, he was gaining weight and running through the sprawling gardens with a golden retriever Dominic had bought for him.
Linda spent her days near the gardens, learning to cook Italian dishes from the estate chef, while Dominic worked from his private study.
Every evening, Dominic left his desk to join them for dinner—a routine that felt less like an employer and his staff, and more like a family.
On a misty Sunday morning, Dominic was walking through the rose garden with Linda while Keo played with the dog near the fountain.
"He looks like a normal boy again," Linda said softly, wrapping her wool shawl tighter around her shoulders as she looked at her son.
"He is a normal boy," Dominic replied, his hands tucked into his coat pockets. "The trial is almost complete. Dr. Evans says he will be in full remission by spring."
Linda stopped walking, turning to face him. The morning light caught the warm tones of her hair, making her look radiant, whole, and beautiful.
"I can never repay you for this, Dominic," she whispered, stepping closer to him. "You gave him his life back. You gave me my life back."
"You don't owe me anything, Linda," Dominic said softly, looking down into her eyes. "Seeing him laugh... seeing you smile... that was enough."
Linda reached up, her hands resting gently against the lapels of his coat. She leaned in, her lips pressing softly against his in a sweet, tender kiss that smelled of morning rain and crisp autumn air.
Dominic pulled her close, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist, deepening the kiss as three years of unspoken affection and hidden longing poured out between them.
May you like
When she finally pulled back, resting her head against his chest, Dominic closed his eyes, holding her against him as if she were the most precious treasure he had ever possessed.
Then, the alarms screamed.
