Chapter 9

Three months later.

The morning sun streamed through the massive windows of the master suite. I woke up wrapped in thick, luxurious sheets, feeling a heavy, warm arm draped securely across my waist.

Dominic was still asleep, his chest rising and falling evenly.

I smiled, carefully sliding out of bed so I wouldn’t wake him. I walked over to the mirror, smoothing down my silk robe. It still felt surreal. The maid’s uniform was gone, replaced by the life of a beloved wife.

I walked down the grand staircase toward the kitchen.

Maisie was already sitting at the island, kicking her feet, while our new private chef—a kind, older Italian woman named Maria—poured her a glass of orange juice.

“Morning, Mommy!” Maisie beamed.

“Good morning, baby,” I kissed her forehead.

She wasn’t hiding anymore. She wasn’t whispering. She owned this house as much as Dominic did.

Dominic walked into the kitchen a few minutes later, dressed in a casual sweater and jeans. He walked straight to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind and pressing a kiss to my neck.

“You left the bed,” he murmured.

“Someone had to make sure your daughter didn’t eat cookies for breakfast,” I teased.

Dominic laughed, moving to sit next to Maisie. “Hey, kiddo. You ready for today?”

Maisie nodded enthusiastically.

“Ready for what?” I asked, pouring a cup of coffee.

Dominic smiled a secret smile. “It’s a surprise. Get dressed. We’re leaving in an hour.”

An hour later, Dominic drove us through the city. We pulled up to a beautiful, historic brick building in the downtown district. A brass plaque on the door read: The Leo Moretti Foundation for Foster Youth.

I gasped, looking at Dominic in the driver’s seat.

“You built a foundation?” I asked.

“I funded it,” Dominic corrected, taking my hand. “But I need someone to run it. Someone who understands what it’s like to navigate the system. Someone who knows how to fight for kids who have nobody else.”

He looked at me with immense pride. “I want you to be the director, Claire.”

Tears filled my eyes. “Dominic… I don’t have a degree for this.”

“You have the heart for it,” he said firmly. “And you have my backing. You spent your life serving people who didn’t appreciate you. Now, it’s time you use your strength to change the world.”

I leaned over the console and kissed him deeply, my heart overflowing with love.

We walked into the building together, Maisie holding both our hands.

It was perfect.

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