Chapter 9 - The Recovery
Three weeks later.
The sunshine streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the master bedroom suite on the top floor of the Moretti estate.
Grace sat propped up on plush white pillows in the massive king-sized bed, wearing a soft silk robe. Her left arm was held snugly in a crisp white sling, but the color had returned to her cheeks, and her smile was bright.
On the left side of the bed, Titan had his massive head resting on the duvet, fast asleep and snoring loudly. On the right side, Nero lay curled up near her feet like an oversized heating pad.
The bedroom door opened softly.
Matteo stepped inside carrying a breakfast tray loaded with fresh croissants, sliced strawberries, scrambled eggs, and hot tea. He had dropped his tailored suits entirely over the past three weeks, wearing comfortable cashmere sweaters and dark jeans, spending every waking hour taking care of Grace himself.
"You shouldn't be playing waiter, Mr. Moretti," Grace teased lightly as he set the tray down across her lap.
"I told you before," Matteo said, sitting on the edge of the mattress and kissing her forehead tenderly. "You are not staff anymore. You own this house now."
"How are things outside?" Grace asked, taking a sip of the warm tea.
"Carmine is in federal custody facing life sentences for attempted murder, syndicate terrorism, and weapons trafficking," Matteo said flatly. "His empire has been completely dismantled. The rest of the regional families signed a permanent peace treaty with me yesterday. The Moretti family is safe. Permanently."
Grace looked down at her hands. "And Isabella?"
"Serving five years in state prison for animal cruelty, conspiracy, and attempted poisoning," Matteo revealed. "She will never touch a dangerous substance—or an animal—again."
Grace sighed, feeling a profound weight lift from her shoulders. "It's finally over."
Matteo reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
Grace’s heart skipped a beat. "Matteo... what is that?"
Matteo took the box, opening it to reveal a breath-taking ring—a brilliant, cushion-cut pink diamond set in platinum, surrounded by smaller delicate diamonds.
"When you walked through my gates in the rain," Matteo whispered, taking her soft right hand in his, "I thought you were just a temporary worker sent to clean my floors. I didn't know you were sent to save my soul."
He looked into her eyes, his expression full of raw, undisguised devotion.
"You taught me that strength isn't about fear. It's about love. You loved my dogs when everyone called them monsters. You loved me when everyone called me a killer. Grace Donovan... will you marry me and become the mistress of this house?"
Tears of pure happiness spilled over Grace’s eyelashes. She looked at Titan, who opened one brown eye and gave a small tail-thump against the mattress, then looked back at the man who held her hand like it was the most precious thing in existence.
May you like
"Yes," Grace wept happily. "Yes, Matteo! A thousand times yes!"
Matteo slid the ring onto her finger, pulled her close, and kissed her deeply, while both pit bulls let out soft, happy whines, joining in on the celebration.
