THE MAFIA BOSS’S FIANCÉE CALLED ME “A SENTIMENTAL LITTLE SERVANT” FOR SAVING HIS DEAD WIFE’S OLD SWEATER—THEN LUCA FOUND A KEY SEWN INSIDE IT

That evening, Luca hosted an intimate gathering at the Chicago estate for the loyal members of his security council, Elena Vance, and our closest friends to officially celebrate the closure of the dark chapter.

The mansion’s grand dining room was decorated with fresh white lilies and yellow daisies. For the first time in five years, the heavy velvet drapes were pulled wide open, allowing the starlight and city lights to flood the room with warmth.

Elena Vance stood near the grand piano, holding a glass of sparkling water, her arm fully recovered. She smiled as I approached her.

“You look like you belong here, Claire,” Elena said, clinking her glass against mine.

“I still feel like I’m dreaming sometimes,” I admitted, looking around at the grand room. “A year ago, I was scrubbing baseboards in the guest wing.”

“Sarah chose well,” Elena said, her eyes softening. “She always told me that true nobility isn't about bloodlines or syndicates; it’s about who stands by your side when the foundation shakes. You stood your ground for a child who wasn't even yours.”

Across the room, Luca was speaking with Daniel. When he saw me looking, he excused himself from the conversation and walked straight toward me. The crowd naturally parted for him, but his eyes never left my face.

He wore an unbuttoned black jacket, looking more relaxed and handsome than I had ever seen him. He reached out and took my hand, intertwining his fingers with mine.

“Walk with me in the conservatory,” Luca murmured, his voice sending a familiar flutter through my heart.

“What about the guests?” I asked, smiling.

“They can survive without me for ten minutes,” he whispered, leading me through the French doors into the glass-domed botanical conservatory at the back of the mansion.

The conservatory was a wonderland of exotic plants, illuminated by soft fairy lights strung along the iron arches. In the center stood a stone fountain surrounded by blooming yellow daisies—Sarah’s favorite flowers, planted freshly that week.

Luca stopped by the fountain and turned to face me. The moonlight filtered through the glass dome, casting a silver glow over his rugged features.

“Claire,” Luca began, his deep voice carrying a tremor of emotion that made my breath catch.

“Luca?”

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the small velvet box. He didn't open it immediately; instead, he rested his large hands over mine.

“When Sarah died, I thought my life was over,” Luca said softly. “I thought my only purpose was to build an iron wall around Lily, to keep the world from hurting her, and to exist in the cold shadows. I thought love was a luxury I would never have again.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I listened to every word.

“Then you came into this house,” Luca continued, his thumb gently caressing my cheek. “You brought color back into Lily’s world. You taught me that strength isn't just about power and weapons—it’s about compassion, loyalty, and fierce love. You saved my daughter’s life, and in doing so, you saved mine.”

He knelt down on one knee on the marble floor beneath the glass dome, holding the velvet box open. The platinum ring with the daisy-engraved diamonds sparkled brilliantly in the moonlight.

“Claire Dawson... will you do me the greatest honor of my life? Will you marry me, become my wife, and be the mother of our home?”

I covered my mouth with both hands, tears of pure happiness spilling over my cheeks.

“Yes,” I breathed, my voice trembling with joy. “Yes, Luca! A thousand times yes!”

Luca smiled, sliding the heirloom ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly, as if it had been waiting for my hand all along.

He stood up and pulled me into his arms, lifting me slightly off the floor as he kissed me deeply under the starry sky.

“Yay!” a familiar cheer echoed from behind the giant ferns.

Luca laughed and set me down as Lily popped out from behind a palm tree, followed closely by Daniel and Elena, who were both applauding with huge grins.