Chapter 9 – THE ENVELOPE

I froze, my hand hovering over the swinging kitchen door.

“Sir?” I asked, confused.

Luca pulled out the chair beside him.

“Sit down, Hannah.”

“I… I have to check the roast,” I stammered, feeling my face grow hot.

Teresa turned in her chair, offering me a warm, motherly smile.

“The roast is fine, dear. We hired a catering team for the kitchen today. I asked them to stay out of sight so we could have this moment privately.”

I blinked. “But… I’m your maid.”

“You saved my sister’s life,” Luca said firmly. “You stood between a loaded gun and my family. You are sitting at this table.”

I slowly walked over and sat down, my hands trembling slightly in my lap.

Lily immediately slid her crayon drawing across the table to me.

“I drew you too, Hannah,” she pointed to a little stick figure with brown hair standing near the swing.

Tears pricked my eyes. “Thank you, Lily. It’s beautiful.”

Dinner was loud, filled with laughter and stories of Michael, of Elena’s childhood, of a time before the darkness had crept into this house.

When the plates were finally cleared, Luca stood up.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a thick white envelope.

He slid it across the table until it rested in front of me.

“What is this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Open it,” Luca said softly.

I peeled back the seal.

Inside was a cashier’s check.

I stared at the number. My breath hitched.

It was more money than I could make in ten years.

“Mr. Moretti… I can’t accept this.”

“It’s not a gift,” Elena chimed in quietly from across the table. “It’s a signing bonus.”

I looked up, confused.

Luca smiled. “I looked into your files, Hannah. You have a degree in business administration. You took this housekeeping job because the hours allowed you to care for your sick mother.”

I nodded, suddenly feeling vulnerable.

“With Vanessa gone, the company needs a new Director of Operations for the estate and our charitable trusts,” Luca said. “I need someone who is loyal, brave, and doesn’t get intimidated by bullies. I want that person to be you.”

I covered my mouth as the tears finally spilled over.

“My mother…” I choked out. “Her medical bills…”

“Are completely paid off,” Teresa said gently. “As of this morning. We also arranged for a top specialist to take over her care at Northwestern Hospital.”

I couldn’t speak. I just sat there, sobbing into my hands as Elena reached over and rubbed my shoulder.

Frank raised his water glass, offering me a wink.

It felt like a dream. But the envelope was real. The family was real.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

The sound echoed through the quiet house.

Luca frowned. “We aren’t expecting anyone.”

He stood up and walked into the foyer.

I wiped my eyes, watching him through the archway as he opened the heavy front doors.

A uniformed delivery man stood on the porch, holding a small, brown cardboard box.

“Delivery for Teresa Moretti,” the man said.

Luca signed for it, thanking the man before closing the door.

He walked back into the dining room, turning the box over in his hands. There was no return address.

“Mom,” Luca said slowly. “Did you order something?”