Chapter 10 - A Moretti Christmas
Christmas Day. Three days later.
Snow fell softly over Manhattan, coating the city in a serene, brilliant blanket of white.
The penthouse suite atop Moretti Tower was quiet, warm, and decorated with understated elegance. A massive Christmas tree glowed near the floor-to-ceiling windows, overlooking the stunning view of Central Park below.
The news broadcasts on the wall-mounted television were dominated by a single headline:
"MAJOR MAFIA FRAUD NETWORK BUSTED IN BROOKLYN: JULIAN MORETTI AND BELLANDI EXECUTIVES ARRESTED IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAND SCAM"
I sat on the plush leather sofa, wearing a comfortable cashmere sweater and leggings, holding a warm mug of cocoa in my hands. My hands were clean, my hair rested loosely over my shoulders, and for the first time in four years, I felt completely at peace.
The heavy glass doors to the balcony opened, and Luca stepped inside, carrying two small velvet boxes. He was wearing a simple dark sweater, looking relaxed, happy, and impossibly handsome.
He walked over, sitting beside me on the sofa, pulling me close against his chest. I leaned my head against his shoulder, letting out a long, contented sigh.
"The board of directors met two hours ago," Luca said softly, his chin resting against the top of my head. "Uncle Julian's voting shares have been permanently revoked. Nonna Rosa officially named me sole Chairman of Moretti Holdings."
"And the Bellandi family?" I asked.
"Liquidated," Luca replied smoothly. "Their shipping contracts have been absorbed by our core operations. The syndicate is clean, Emma. Truly clean. My father's legacy is finally free from the mud."
"I'm happy for you, Luca," I smiled, looking up into his dark, beautiful eyes.
"I didn't do it alone," Luca said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the first velvet box. He handed it to me.
I opened it. Inside was a sleek silver bank authorization card bearing my name, along with an official document stamped by a Swiss bank.
Five million dollars.
"Your payment," Luca said quietly. "As promised. You are a wealthy woman, Emma Vance. You never have to work another day in your life if you don't want to."
I stared at the card, feeling a strange lump form in my throat. I set the box down on the coffee table.
"And what if I don't want the money?" I asked softly, turning to look him straight in the eyes.
Luca froze, his heart pounding visibly beneath his sweater. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," I whispered, reaching out to wrap my fingers around his lapel, "I didn't stay in that wine cellar because of five million dollars. I didn't go to Brooklyn because of a fake contract. I stayed because I love you, Luca. I've loved you since the day you stood up to those crooked city inspectors for your building staff four years ago."
Luca stared at me, his breath catching in his chest. A look of pure, unadulterated joy broke across his face, lighting up his dark eyes like stars.
"Thank God," he rasped, pulling me into a fierce, passionate kiss that made my soul sing.
When he finally pulled back, he reached into his pocket and opened the second velvet box.
Inside sat a breathtaking, vintage emerald-cut diamond ring that sparkled with incredible fire under the Christmas tree lights.
"This belonged to my great-grandmother," Luca said, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "Nonna Rosa gave it to me yesterday. She said if I didn't put it on your finger by New Year's Eve, she was going to write me out of her will."
A happy laugh escaped my lips, tears gathering in my eyes.
"Emma Vance," Luca said softly, taking my right hand in his, looking into my hazel eyes with absolute devotion. "Will you do me the incredible honor of making the fake arrangement real? Will you marry me?"
May you like
"Yes," I whispered, my heart bursting with happiness. "Yes, Luca. Absolutely yes."
He slid the ring onto my finger, pulling me into his arms as the snow fell softly over the glowing lights of Manhattan outside—a city that was finally ours to share.
