Chapter 8 - THE HEAVY SUNSHINE
Six months later.
Spring had returned to the Berkshire Hills, filling the estate grounds with blooming cherry blossoms, green lawns, and warm sunshine.
The dark clouds of betrayal and fear that had hung over the Moretti family were completely gone. Julian and his conspirators were serving life sentences in a federal maximum-security facility, and North Star Shipping’s stolen assets had been seized and converted into a charitable foundation.
On the sunlit stone terrace overlooking the valley, five-year-old Leo was running happily with a golden retriever puppy, his bright laughter echoing across the lawn.
Sitting at the terrace table was Evelyn, wearing an elegant cream dress, reviewing architectural designs for the Reed-Moretti Children's Art Center—a foundation she had established to fund education for underprivileged kids.
Luca walked out onto the terrace, wearing a comfortable black linen shirt, carrying two glasses of fresh lemonade.
He set a glass beside her, pulling a chair close and sitting down.
"How are the new building plans coming?" Luca asked softly, his gravelly voice filled with deep tenderness.
"We open the first shelter in Brooklyn next month," Evelyn smiled, looking up at him with eyes full of warmth and love. "It feels surreal, Luca. A year ago, I was counting pennies to buy groceries."
Luca reached out, taking her hand—the hand that now bore a faint, small silver scar where the glass had struck her six months ago.
He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against the scar.
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"You saved my son, Evelyn," Luca whispered, looking deeply into her eyes. "And you saved me from becoming the monster my enemies thought I was."
Evelyn smiled, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "You were never a monster, Luca. You were just a father waiting for your son to come home."
