Chapter 13 - Bullet Holes and Broken Vows
Six months later, the Moretti estate was transformed.
The bullet holes in the walls had been patched and covered with priceless Renaissance art. The heavy iron security shutters had been replaced with bright, sunlit French windows overlooking blooming rose gardens.
Matteo stood on the back terrace, leaning lightly on an ornamental silver cane, laughing heartily as he watched Lily play with two golden retriever puppies on the manicured lawn.
My mother sat nearby in a comfortable wicker armchair, her health fully restored thanks to the finest private medical care in the country, smiling warmly as she sipped sweet iced tea.
Inside the grand master suite, I stood before the full-length gilded mirror, dressed in a breathtaking white lace wedding gown with a ten-foot cathedral train.
Mrs. Carter gently adjusted the antique veil over my hair, wiping a happy tear from her eye. "You look like an angel, Mrs. Moretti."
"Thank you, Mrs. Carter," I whispered, looking at my reflection with a sense of wonder.
The door opened, and Luca stepped inside. He wore a custom white-tie tuxedo, looking overwhelmingly handsome. When his eyes fell on me, his breath caught in his throat, and a look of pure, unadulterated adoration washed over his rugged features.
"You take my breath away, Claire," he murmured, walking over to wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me gently against him.
"You're not supposed to see the bride before the ceremony," I teased, smiling up at him.
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"I make the rules in this house, remember?" he whispered, leaning down to press a tender kiss to my forehead. "Are you ready?"
"I've been ready since the moment you stopped that clock from falling," I replied softly.
