Chapter 9 - The New Foundation
Six months later.
By early May, the Lake Forest estate was bursting with spring life. White tulips and yellow daffodils lined the brick walkways, and the air smelled of sweet lilac and fresh rain.
The estate had officially transformed.
The dark, oppressive atmosphere that had once defined the Moretti estate was gone. The heavy security remained, but it was now discreet, efficient, and filled with people who were proud to work here.
Under my administration, the estate had hired twenty local workers, established a full scholarship fund for domestic staff children, and launched the Mara Cross Moretti Children’s Foundation—a non-profit organization dedicated to providing emergency medical care and housing for vulnerable mothers and infants across Illinois.
I sat at my wide mahogany desk in the newly renovated administration office on the ground floor.
The room was no longer cold and clinical. High glass windows let in the bright morning sunlight, soft cream rugs covered the floor, and framed photographs of Lily and Matteo hung on the walls.
My computer chimed with a new notification.
A data summary from the foundation’s main bank account: SPRING GALA PROCEEDS CLEAR - $4.2 MILLION DISBURSED TO CHICAGO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
I smiled, leaning back in my comfortable leather chair, taking a sip of hot tea.
The door to my office swung open.
Lily came trotting inside, wearing a bright yellow spring dress, carrying a small blue watering can.
"Mama! I watered the red flowers by the pool!" she announced proudly. "And Barnaby tried to drink the water!"
Barnaby—the now eight-month-old Golden Retriever puppy Rocco had bought for her on her birthday—came trotting in right behind her, his tail wagging frantically as he rested his heavy head on my knee.
"Good job, sweetie," I laughed, reaching down to pet the dog's soft golden ears. "Did Caleb help you?"
"Caleb is holding Matteo!" Lily said, pointing toward the hallway.
I looked out through the open door.
Caleb Stone, six-foot-three and broad-shouldered, was standing near the central fountain holding ten-month-old Matteo in a front baby carrier, carefully feeding him a tiny piece of smashed banana with a plastic spoon.
The terrifying chief of security looked entirely content as the baby giggled and reached for his gold watch chain.
Rocco walked out of the library, wearing a sharp grey suit, carrying his leather briefcase. He stopped near Caleb, smiling at his son, before walking into my office.
"Good morning, Administrator," Rocco smiled, leaning over my desk to press a soft kiss to my lips.
"Good morning, Boss," I teased softly, adjusting his silk tie. "Are you off to the foundation board meeting?"
"Yes," Rocco said, resting his hands flat against my desk. "The governor is attending today. He wants to formally recognize the foundation’s work in the state legislature."
"Tell him we expect his tax-exempt signature by Friday," I said dryly.
Rocco laughed, a warm, rich sound that filled the sunlit room.
He looked down at Lily, who was busy watering a small potted fern sitting in the corner of my office.
"Lily," Rocco called out gently.
Lily looked up. "Yes, Rocco?"
"Are we still on for pizza and ice cream at six o'clock tonight?"
Lily’s eyes lit up like stars. "With the big red cherries?!"
"With all the big red cherries you can eat," Rocco promised, winking at her.
He looked back at me, his gray-dark eyes soft, warm, and filled with an absolute, unshakeable devotion that made my heart swell with happiness.
"I'll see you at six, Clara," Rocco whispered, touching my cheek softly.
May you like
"We'll be waiting," I replied gently.
I watched him walk out through the sunlit foyer, stopping to kiss his son on the forehead before heading out toward the waiting car.
