Chapter 12 - THE NEW DAWN
One month later.
The golden sun beat down on the rolling green hills of Provence, France. The air smelled of sweet grapes, rich soil, and blooming lavender.
Sophie stood on the massive stone balcony of the Château de Valois, looking out over the hundreds of acres of vineyards that belonged to her family. The estate had been abandoned for years, but with their new wealth, they had already begun restoring it to its former glory.
Below, in the courtyard, her father was sitting in a wicker chair, laughing as he watched Leo chase a butterfly through the rose bushes. The heavy, sorrowful weight that had crushed her father for two years was completely gone. He looked ten years younger.
Sophie took a deep breath of the fresh, clean air.
No more mobsters. No more freezing apartments. No more running.
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap gently around her waist from behind. Alessandro rested his chin on her shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to her neck.
“The foreman says the east wing renovations will be done by Christmas,” Alessandro murmured, his accent blending perfectly with the French countryside.
“You don’t have to stay here and help manage the estate, you know,” Sophie teased softly, leaning back into his chest. “You’re a free man. You could go anywhere in the world.”
Alessandro turned her around, his dark eyes locking onto hers. The dangerous, calculated mafia capo she had met in the restaurant was gone. In his place was a man who had finally found peace.
“I am exactly where I want to be,” Alessandro said, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “My father couldn't protect your mother. He let politics and duty tear them apart. I’m not making the same mistake, Sophie.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the diamond bracelet—the one that had belonged to her mother, the one that had saved her life at the auction.
But this time, it wasn't just a bracelet.
Attached to the clasp was a stunning, flawless diamond ring.
Sophie gasped, her hands flying to her mouth.
“I don’t want to be the man in the shadows anymore,” Alessandro said, his voice thick with emotion. He dropped to one knee on the stone balcony. “I want to be the man standing in the light with you. Sophie De Valois... will you marry me?”
Tears streamed down Sophie’s smiling face. She looked down at the man who had risked everything to save her family, the man who had traded his empire for a quiet life in the vineyards.
“Yes,” she whispered, pulling him up by his collar and crashing her lips against his.
Down in the courtyard, Leo cheered loudly, clapping his hands, while her father smiled up at them, raising his teacup in a silent toast.
May you like
Sophie looked out over the endless rows of green vines, the sun warming her skin. The past was finally behind them. The ledger was burned, the enemies were gone, and the future was entirely theirs.
They were home.
