Chapter 8 - Healing the Broken
Three weeks had passed since the night Victor Dane was removed from the estate.
The transition of power within the Caruso family was swift and absolute. With Victor’s legal hold broken, Matteo reclaimed every cent of the stolen six million dollars, redirecting the funds into legitimate, legal investments and setting up a trust fund for Nico’s future.
The mansion, once cold and imposing, had undergone a complete transformation.
The dark drapes had been removed, allowing bright afternoon sunlight to flood the marble corridors. The silence that had haunted the hallways for six months was replaced by the joyful sounds of an eight-year-old boy laughing.
Juliet sat on the garden patio, watching Nico race across the manicured lawn with a golden retriever puppy Matteo had bought him for his birthday.
"Look, Juliet!" Nico shouted, waving frantically as the puppy chased his sneakers. "Buster caught the ball!"
Juliet laughed, waving back. "Good job, Nico! Don't let him eat the grass!"
She took a sip of her iced tea, feeling a deep, unshakeable sense of peace.
Her life had changed entirely. She no longer wore a housekeeper's apron; she wore a soft yellow summer dress that highlighted her gorgeous curves and radiant skin. She had her own apartment wing in the mansion, but spent most of her evenings with Matteo and Nico in the family quarters.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, pressing a warm kiss against the crook of her neck.
Juliet smiled, leaning back into Matteo’s broad chest. "You're home early."
"I missed my family," Matteo murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder as they watched Nico play.
Matteo had changed too. The cold, forbidding crime boss had softened into a devoted partner and a present, loving father. He had stepped back from the dark operations of his family, handing over the street management to his lieutenants, while he focused entirely on his legal shipping logistics empire.
"How was Detroit?" Juliet asked, turning in his arms to look up into his dark eyes.
"Boring," Matteo smiled, his thumbs tracing the soft curves of her hips. "Board meetings, lawyers, tax audits. I kept thinking about a certain brilliant woman who used to do my bookkeeping."
Juliet smirked playfully. "I hear she charges a very high hourly rate now."
"I'm willing to pay whatever she asks," Matteo replied softly, his expression turning serious and sweet.
He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.
Juliet’s breath caught in her throat. Her heart began to beat wildly against her ribs.
"Matteo..." she whispered.
Matteo dropped down onto one knee right there on the sunny stone patio. He opened the box, revealing a breathtaking, flawless emerald ring surrounded by delicate diamonds—a ring that matched the color of her eyes.
"Juliet Hayes," Matteo said, his voice filled with raw, honest emotion. "Eleven women walked out of this house because they were afraid of the dark. But you walked in, faced our monsters, and taught my son and me how to love again. You gave us back our lives."
Tears of joy spilled over Juliet’s lashes.
"I don't want a maid, Juliet," Matteo continued, his dark eyes shining with deep devotion. "I want a partner. A mother for Nico. A wife for me. Will you marry me?"
Juliet didn't hesitate. She dropped to her knees beside him on the stone floor, throwing her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss.
"Yes!" she sobbed happily against his mouth. "Yes, Matteo! A thousand times yes!"
From across the lawn, Nico came running up, the puppy bouncing at his heels.
"Are you guys kissing again?" Nico asked, making a funny face.
Matteo laughed, pulling Nico into a massive hug, while keeping his arm firmly around Juliet. "Get used to it, buddy. Juliet is staying forever."
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Nico’s face lit up with a brilliant, joyful smile. He threw his arms around Juliet’s neck, hugging her tightly. "Best day ever!"
Juliet held them both close, watching the sunlight glint off her new ring, knowing that her long journey through hardship had finally brought her home.
