Chapter 6 - A New Dawn at the Estate
When Matteo returned to the Bellandi estate the following evening, the atmosphere of the grand house had changed completely.
The lingering tension that had choked the corridors for weeks was gone. In its place was a peaceful quiet. As Matteo walked through the front foyer, he didn't head toward his private office or the cigar lounge as he usually did. He walked straight up the grand staircase toward the family wing.
He found Elena in the conservatory—a sunlit glass room filled with tropical plants, orchids, and plush seating. She was sitting on a sofa, quietly reading a book, while Mia sat on the carpet nearby, happily painting a picture of the mountains with her watercolor set.
As his footsteps echoed on the tile, Elena looked up. The moment her eyes met his, a soft, radiant smile broke across her face. She immediately stood up, setting her book aside.
"You're back," she said softly.
"I am," Matteo replied, walking into the room. He knelt down beside Mia first, reaching into his coat pocket and pulling out a small, plush snow-leopard toy he had bought at the airport in Verona. "A promise is a promise, little one."
Mia’s eyes lit up with joy. "A mountain cat! Thank you, Don Matteo!" She hugged the toy tight and immediately ran off to show Mrs. Gable in the kitchen.
Matteo stood up, stepping closer to Elena. He looked down at her, taking in her calm, elegant presence. She was no longer wearing the gray maid's uniform; she wore a simple, elegant navy blue dress that highlighted her warm eyes and soft features.
"It is entirely over," Matteo said quietly. "Bianca and Lorenzo have been dealt with. The syndicate is secure. You and Mia are no longer in any danger."
Elena let out a long, shuddering breath, her hands trembling slightly as relief washed over her. "So... we can go back to normal?"
"What is normal to you, Elena?" Matteo asked, his dark eyes searching hers. "Going back to cleaning rooms and staying out of sight?"
Elena lowered her head slightly. "I am still an employee here, Matteo. I know my place."
Before she could step back, Matteo reached out, gently cupping her chin with his hand, lifting her gaze back to his.
"You saved my life, Elena," he said, his voice dropping into a rich, tender tone. "You stood in this house and risked everything to protect me. Then you walked into a war zone without hesitation because you trusted me. You are not an employee. You never will be again."
"Matteo..." she whispered, her heart hammering against her ribs. "People will talk. The syndicate elders, the staff... they will say a man in your position shouldn't be with a woman like me."
"Let them talk," Matteo said fiercely. "I have spent my entire life doing what was expected of me for the sake of power and politics. I allowed a snake into my home because she had the right last name. I will never make that mistake again."
He leaned in, his thumb gently stroking her cheekbone. "The only thing I care about is the woman who showed me true loyalty and courage when the rest of the world was waiting to knife me in the back."
Elena stared into his deep dark eyes, seeing no trace of the terrifying mafia Don—only a man who offered her safety, respect, and unconditional protection.
May you like
Slowly, she leaned up, pressing her lips against his.
Matteo pulled her close, wrapping his strong arms around her waist as the setting sun cast a golden light through the glass roof of the conservatory, illuminating a fresh beginning for them both.
