Chapter 9 – A New Normal

Winter arrived in Chicago, blanketing the estate in thick white snow.

Life inside the mansion had settled into a beautiful, quiet rhythm.

I was no longer the maid. I was the lady of the house, though I still insisted on baking my own bread and helping the staff prepare holiday dinners.

Leo was thriving. Luca had officially started the adoption process, and Leo proudly told everyone at kindergarten that his new dad was the tallest man in the world.

Teresa seemed ten years younger. She spent her days organizing charity events with the new legitimate Moretti Foundation, laughing loudly on the phone with her friends.

And Duke?

Duke was a miracle.

The veterinarian said the new pain medication and the custom rugs had given him a second wind. He still couldn’t walk far, but he no longer cried in pain, and his eyes were bright and alert.

It was Christmas Eve.

The grand hall was decorated with a massive pine tree covered in twinkling lights and silver ornaments.

I was in the study, wrapping the last of Leo’s presents, when I noticed an old wooden cigar box on the top shelf of the bookcase.

I pulled it down, wiping the dust off the lid.

“What’s that?” Luca asked, walking into the room with two mugs of hot cocoa.

“I don’t know,” I said, opening the latch. “I think it’s your father’s.”

Inside were old concert tickets, faded polaroids, and a silver money clip.

But at the bottom of the box was something that made my breath catch.

A small, tarnished silver pocket knife.

I picked it up, my hands trembling. “Luca…”

“What is it?” he asked, setting the mugs down.

“This knife,” I whispered, turning it over to show the initials D.C. carved into the handle. “This belonged to my father. He lost it ten years ago.”

Luca frowned, stepping closer. “Are you sure?”

“Positive. He carved those letters himself.” I looked at Luca, a knot forming in my stomach. “Why did your father have my dad’s knife?”

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