Chapter 8 - THE HEALING OF THE HOUSE
Six months later.
Spring had arrived in New York, turning the Moretti estate into a paradise of green lawns, blooming cherry blossoms, and bright blue skies.
The atmosphere inside the mansion was completely transformed. The cold, tense, oppressive air that had once defined the house during Valentina’s time was entirely gone, replaced by warmth, laughter, and the chaotic joy of two happy young girls.
Sophia had officially taken over the management of the estate—not as a housekeeper, but as the mistress of the house. She overhauled the staff working conditions, raised their wages, and treated every servant with dignity and profound kindness, earning their fierce loyalty and deep love.
Seven-year-old Lily and eight-year-old Mia were flourishing. Lily’s previous shyness had completely evaporated under Lorenzo’s fatherly love; she called him "Dad" with absolute natural pride, and Lorenzo doted on her just as fiercely as he did on Mia.
One afternoon, Lorenzo was sitting in his grand study, reviewing legitimate real estate expansion documents, when a soft knock sounded at the door.
Sophia walked in, wearing a floral summer dress that accentuated her soft beauty, carrying a tray with fresh iced tea.
"You're working too hard, Don Lorenzo," Sophia teased gently, setting the tray on his heavy mahogany desk.
Lorenzo smiled—a genuine, warm smile that reached his dark eyes—stepping around the desk to pull her into his lap as he sat back down in his leather armchair.
"I have to work hard," Lorenzo murmured, resting his chin on her shoulder, his hands resting gently over her hips. "I have two daughters to send to college in ten years, and a very demanding wife to keep happy."
Sophia turned her head, her eyes shining with soft amusement. "Wife? I don't remember agreeing to that title yet, Mr. Moretti."
Lorenzo reached into his suit pocket, pulling out a small, velvet-lined mahogany box. He opened it, revealing a breathtaking, flawless six-carat cushion-cut diamond ring that caught the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat, her hands flying to her mouth. "Lorenzo..."
"Sophia Hale," Lorenzo said, his deep voice rich with profound emotion, looking into her eyes with raw vulnerability. "A year ago, you walked into this house as a woman who was supposed to be invisible. But you became the brightest light in my life. You saved my empire, you loved my daughter like your own, and you showed me what a real family looks like."
He took her trembling hand, slipping the ring onto her finger.
"Will you make me the happiest man in the world and become my wife?" Lorenzo asked softly.
Tears of pure, unadulterated joy spilled down Sophia’s cheeks. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him with all the love burning in her soul.
"Yes!" Sophia sobbed happily against his lips. "Yes, Lorenzo! A thousand times yes!"
From the open doorway of the study, seven-year-old Lily and eight-year-old Mia popped their heads around the frame, bursting into excited giggles and clapping their hands wildly.
"She said yes! She said yes!" Mia cheered, running into the room.
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"We're gonna have a wedding!" Lily shouted, jumping up and down.
Lorenzo laughed, scooping both young girls into his arms while keeping his other arm tightly around Sophia, pulling his entire family into one huge, warm embrace.
