Chapter 10 - L’ÉTOILE DU CŒUR
One year later.
The morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Duca penthouse, illuminating a room filled with laughter, fresh flowers, and white balloons.
It was Mia’s second birthday.
The penthouse was decorated not like a mobster’s fortress, but like a joyous paradise for a little girl. A grand birthday cake shaped like a castle sat on the dining table, surrounded by gifts, stuffed animals, and sweet treats.
Mia—now a bustling, energetic toddler with a crown of dark curls—was running across the white marble floor, wearing a little pink princess dress, chasing a soft yellow balloon.
I stood near the windows, wearing an ivory silk dress, holding a glass of champagne, watching my daughter with a full, boundless heart. A year ago, I was counting pennies for formula. Today, I was the wife of the most powerful man in the city, managing a million-dollar charitable foundation we had launched to help single mothers in New York find safe housing and childcare.
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped gently around my waist from behind. Alessandro pulled me back against his broad chest, resting his chin on my shoulder, kissing the side of my neck.
"What are you thinking about, my queen?" he asked softly, his deep voice sending a warm shiver through my body.
"I was thinking about the laundry room," I smiled, turning my head to kiss his cheek. "About how terrified I was when Mia crawled through your office door and grabbed your tie."
Alessandro chuckled softly, looking out at Mia as she successfully tackled the yellow balloon onto the carpet.
"That was the greatest day of my life, Elena," Alessandro admitted, his voice rich with profound tenderness. "I thought I was running an empire. I didn't realize I was completely empty inside until a little girl with two teeth took hostage of my silk tie and forced me to look at her mother."
"Dada! Mama! Look!" Mia squealed, holding the balloon up in her tiny hands, running over to us as fast as her little legs could carry her.
Alessandro let go of my waist, dropping down to one knee, holding out his arms. Mia leaped into his embrace, giggling wildly as Alessandro picked her up, spinning her through the warm, sunlit air before cradling her against his chest.
I walked over, wrapping my arm around Alessandro’s shoulder, leaning against him as we both looked down at our daughter.
Alessandro reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, and opening it. Inside sat a tiny, delicate gold necklace featuring a pendant shaped like a small fox’s eye, surrounded by sparkling diamonds.
"A gift for my little princess," Alessandro said, gently fastening the necklace around Mia’s neck. "To remind her that she will always be protected."
Mia touched the shiny gold pendant, smiling brightly, before leaning forward and planting a sloppy, sweet baby kiss on Alessandro’s cheek. "Love you, Dada!"
Alessandro closed his eyes, a radiant, emotional smile lighting up his dark, handsome face—a smile that held no coldness, no terror, and no mobster mask. Only pure, unadulterated love.
May you like
He stood up, holding Mia with one arm, while wrapping his other arm around my waist, pulling me close, pressing his lips to mine in a long, sweet, passionate kiss that sealed our eternal promise.
Hand in hand, surrounded by the warmth of our home, the laughter of our child, and the unbreakable bond of our love, we looked out over the Manhattan skyline—a family built not on fear, but on a miracle that had crawled through a doorway on a rainy Tuesday morning.
