Chapter 10 - THE NEW DAWN AT THE MANSION
Two weeks later, the Moretti mansion looked entirely different.
The dark, oppressive draperies in the foyer had been replaced with crisp white linen, letting the golden autumn sunlight flood the marble floors.
The portrait of Dante’s ruthless grandfather in the west hallway had been moved to the private archive, replaced by a framed photograph of the newly restored south side community park—funded entirely by the Moretti Foundation.
Elena stood in the center of the grand ballroom, wearing a simple, elegant emerald-green dress that caught the light of the crystal chandelier.
She wasn't holding a silver tray.
She was holding a glass of sparkling cider, talking and laughing with old Dr. Harrison and several community leaders who had come to discuss the new hospital wing.
The heavy oak doors of the ballroom opened.
Dante walked in.
He scanned the crowded room until his gray eyes locked onto hers across the floor.
A slow, rare smile touched the corners of his mouth—the kind of smile only Elena was ever permitted to see.
He walked toward her through the crowd, parting the guests effortlessly, his presence commanding yet entirely at ease.
When he reached her, he didn't care who was watching.
He slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against his side.
"You look breathtaking," Dante murmured against her ear.
"You're interrupting an important conversation about municipal funding," Elena teased lightly, though a warm flush spread across her cheeks.
"Let the city council fund their own parks," Dante chuckled softly. "I came to steal my favorite employee away from her duties."
"I'm not an employee anymore, Mr. Moretti," she reminded him with a playful spark in her eyes. "My contract was officially terminated by the board yesterday."
"Oh?" Dante raised an eyebrow. "And what position did you accept instead?"
Elena smiled, resting her hand against the lapel of his tailored suit jacket where her fingers brushed the platinum wedding band he had slipped onto her left ring finger that very morning during a quiet private ceremony in the study.
"Co-owner," she whispered. "For life."
Dante’s smile deepened.
He leaned down, pressing his lips softly to hers right there in the center of the ballroom, as the guests around them raised their glasses in a silent, respectful toast.
The shadows of the past had finally been cleared away.
The empire was standing stronger than ever.
May you like
And for the first time in her life, Elena Carter was home.
THE END
