Chapter 13 - The Final Confrontation at the Romano Estate
One month later, the Romano mansion in Chicago had been fully restored to its glorious splendor.
The scorch marks were gone, replaced by fresh paint, exquisite marble tiles, and vibrant white roses filling every vase.
A grand banquet was announced.
The heads of every legitimate business conglomerate, prominent city officials, and all loyal captains of the Romano organization were invited.
I was in the master suite upstairs, helping Mrs. Romano fasten her diamond necklace.
She looked radiant in an emerald velvet gown.
“You look breathtaking, Mrs. Romano,” I smiled.
She turned and took both my hands in hers.
“And you look like you belong here, my darling Claire.”
I was wearing a modest but elegant silver evening dress that Matteo had personally ordered for me from Paris.
“I still feel strange not wearing my apron,” I admitted with a soft laugh.
“You will never wear an apron again,” Mrs. Romano said with a wink.
A knock sounded at the door.
Matteo walked in, looking devastatingly handsome in a bespoke black tuxedo.
His eyes found mine, and he stopped in his tracks, his breath catching in his throat.
“You look... magnificent, Claire,” he whispered, his eyes filled with adoration.
Mrs. Romano chuckled softly.
“Take her downstairs, Matteo. Your guests are waiting.”
Matteo offered me his arm.
I placed my hand inside the crook of his elbow, feeling the strength and warmth radiating through his suit jacket.
As we walked down the grand marble staircase, the hundreds of guests gathered in the ballroom fell completely silent.
Every eye was fixed on us.
There were no whispers of “she’s just a maid.”
May you like
There were only looks of profound respect.
Everyone in this city knew that the quiet, brave woman on Matteo Romano’s arm was the savior of his dynasty.
