Chapter 9 - The Garden Party
Six months after the trial, the Moretti estate held the largest celebration in its history.
The grand back lawn was covered in white tents, colorful flowers, and string lights. Members of the local community, staff, and loyal business associates gathered to celebrate a double occasion: infant Enzo’s first birthday and Lily’s sixth birthday.
Little Enzo, now a healthy, chubby toddler, was crawling happily across a soft blanket on the grass, chasing a balloon. Lily ran nearby with her school friends, wearing a bright yellow summer dress and a shiny new silver bunny clip in her hair.
Vincent stood on the terrace, watching the children with a sense of quiet contentment.
Emily walked up beside him, wearing an elegant emerald dress. She held two glasses of fresh lemonade, handing one to Vincent.
"A long way from the service kitchen, isn't it?" Emily asked with a soft smile.
Vincent turned to her, looking at the woman who had brought warmth, honesty, and love back into his cold world.
"I never thanked you properly, Emily," Vincent said softly.
"For what? You gave us a home, a future, and safety," she replied.
"For teaching me what a real family looks like," Vincent said.
He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. Emily caught her breath as Vincent dropped down to one knee right there on the terrace under the warm afternoon sun.
"Emily Carver," Vincent said, his voice filled with deep emotion. "You and Lily saved my son, and you saved me. Will you make me the happiest man alive and become my wife?"
Tears of joy welled up in Emily’s eyes as she smiled brightly. "Yes, Vincent! Yes!"
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From across the lawn, Lily saw them and came running up the terrace steps, clapping her hands happily. "Mommy! Daddy Vincent!"
Vincent stood up, pulling Emily into a warm embrace and scooping Lily up in his arm, while Enzo crawled over to pull at Vincent's pant leg, babbling happily.
