Chapter 10 - Spring in Greenwich
Six months later, the Vermont hills were alive with the bright, vibrant green of an early New England summer.
The ancient oaks lining the estate driveway swayed gently in a warm afternoon breeze. The iron gates stood open—not because the estate was vulnerable, but because the fortress no longer needed to be a prison.
Inside the sunroom, sunlight poured through the crystal-clear glass panes, illuminating a scene that would have seemed impossible a year ago.
Leo sat at a low wooden table, laughing loudly as he stacked plastic building blocks with Mia, their chatter filling the grand room with a warm, chaotic music that chased away every lingering ghost of the past.
On the terrace overlooking the gardens, Dominic stood with his hands in his pockets, watching the children through the open french doors.
A soft step sounded behind him.
Elena walked out onto the stone patio, holding a tray with two glasses of iced lemonade. She wore a simple sundress, the shadows and wariness of her past entirely gone from her posture.
"He's getting ahead in his speech therapy," Elena said, handing a glass to Dominic. "Dr. Collins—the real one, not the fraud Evelyn paid off—says Leo's auditory processing is developing at twice the normal rate to make up for lost time."
Dominic took the glass, his dark eyes softening as he looked down at her. "Collins is working for the state prison system now, courtesy of Marco’s legal team. I think he'll have plenty of time to reflect on his medical ethics."
Elena smiled, leaning her hip against the stone balustrade beside him. "And Evelyn?"
"Federal penitentiary in maximum security," Dominic replied smoothly. "No visitors, no phone calls, no outside communication. She’s living in total silence. Fitting, isn't it?"
Elena didn't answer. She took a sip of her lemonade, watching Leo hand the gray rabbit to Mia with a bright, contagious grin.
Dominic set his glass down on the stone ledge, turned to face her, and gently reached out, his warm fingers brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"You know," Dominic murmured, his voice dropping into that low, intimate register that made her heart race, "technically, your employment contract as live-in housekeeper ended when we cleaned house in January."
Elena raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge dancing in her dark eyes. "Is that so? Are you firing me, Mr. Moretti?"
"Not a chance," Dominic said, a rare, breathtaking smile breaking across his face. "I'm offering a permanent promotion. Live-in partner, co-conspirator, and the only person in this state who isn't afraid of my bad moods."
From inside the sunroom, Leo’s voice rang out clear and joyful: "Mama! Dad! Come look what we built!"
Elena laughed, the sound warm and bright against the Vermont breeze, and placed her hand over Dominic's.
May you like
"Only if I get to pick the wallpaper," she said.
Dominic pulled her close, his arms wrapping securely around her waist as they walked together into the sunlight, leaving the silence behind them forever.
