Chapter 14 - THE MAID WHO OWNED THE MANSION
Alessia Romano had spent seven months cleaning floors inside the Moretti mansion.
Now an attorney was telling her she controlled the company that owned the property.
She stared at Rebecca.
"That can't be right."
Rebecca smiled gently.
"It appears to be."
Dante sat beside her.
He looked almost amused.
"Well."
Alessia turned toward him.
"Don't."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Don't what?"
"Don't make a joke."
Dante smiled.
"I was going to ask whether you'll let me stay."
Despite everything, Alessia burst out laughing.
The sound surprised her.
For weeks, she'd been frightened, exhausted, and overwhelmed.
Now she was laughing in the library of a mansion she might legally control.
Bianca watched them from the sofa.
Her eyes sparkled.
"Salvatore always believed Rosa deserved more than gratitude."
Alessia looked toward her.
"Why didn't anyone tell us?"
"Because Lorenzo interfered with the trust administration. The evidence suggests he concealed notices and forged documents."
Rebecca nodded.
"The legal process isn't finished, but the original documents are strong."
Alessia took a slow breath.
"Then what happens now?"
"You'll have choices," Rebecca replied.
Alessia looked around the room.
The marble floors.
The towering windows.
The expensive furniture.
For years, she'd believed wealth belonged to people who never had to scrub floors or worry about rent.
Now she understood something.
Money could create comfort.
But it couldn't determine a person's worth.
"I don't want to throw anyone out," she said.
Dante smiled.
"That's reassuring."
She looked at him.
"And I don't want to become someone who treats employees like they're invisible."
Bianca reached for her hand.
"Then don't."
Six months later, the criminal cases moved through the courts.
Lorenzo Bellini was convicted of multiple financial offenses, fraud, and crimes connected to the unlawful confinement of Bianca and the intimidation of witnesses.
Franco Moretti faced convictions connected to Salvatore's death and the conspiracy that followed.
Dr. Hale lost his medical license and faced criminal penalties for falsifying records.
The Moretti financial empire underwent a major restructuring.
Dante appointed independent executives to oversee legitimate businesses and began withdrawing from unlawful operations.
Some old associates called him weak.
He didn't care.
"I've spent half my life protecting the wrong things," he told Alessia one evening.
They stood on the terrace overlooking the garden.
"What do you want to protect now?" she asked.
He looked at her.
"People."
Alessia smiled.
"That's a good start."
Dante turned toward her.
"There's something else."
She raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
He hesitated.
The feared mafia boss of Chicago looked nervous.
Alessia almost laughed.
"Are you okay?"
"No."
She blinked.
"Why?"
"Because I've faced men with weapons without losing my nerve."
"And?"
"And somehow asking you one question is worse."
Her heart began racing.
Dante took her hand.
"Alessia, somewhere between the day I found your suitcase in the foyer and the day we brought our mothers home, I fell in love with you."
Her breath caught.
He continued.
"I didn't want to say anything while you worked for me or while the investigation affected your safety and finances. I wanted you to have your freedom first."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Dante..."
He smiled gently.
"You don't owe me an answer."
Alessia stepped closer.
"Good."
He looked surprised.
"Good?"
She smiled.
"Because I want you to know I love you too."
Dante closed his eyes.
Then laughed softly.
"That's a relief."
She kissed him.
And for the first time, the man everyone feared allowed himself to look completely happy.
Three months later, Dante invited Alessia to the music room.
The grand piano had been restored.
Fresh roses stood beside Bianca's photograph.
Dante sat at the keyboard.
"I've been practicing."
Alessia smiled.
"Should I be worried?"
"Probably."
He began playing the melody his mother had taught him as a child.
Alessia recognized it immediately.
It was the same tune she'd heard in that room eighteen years earlier.
When he finished, Dante stood.
He reached into his pocket.
Then lowered himself onto one knee.
Alessia covered her mouth.
"Alessia Romano," he whispered, "will you marry me?"
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Yes."
He slipped a delicate diamond ring onto her finger.
Then stood and kissed her.
From the doorway, Bianca and Rosa began applauding.
Alessia laughed through tears.
"You two were listening?"
Bianca smiled.
"Of course."
Rosa wiped her eyes.
"We've waited a long time for this."
But before the wedding, Bianca gave Alessia one final envelope.
May you like
Inside was a letter Salvatore Moretti had written shortly before his death.
And the first sentence revealed the reason he'd chosen Alessia as his heir.
