Chapter 8 – The True Home

The Chicago mansion looked different in the morning light.

It didn’t look like a cold, corporate fortress anymore. It looked like a home.

Vanessa was gone. Her bags had been packed and left on the driveway by security before we even arrived back. The engagement was permanently canceled.

Teresa was back in her master bedroom. The extravagant modern furniture Vanessa had ordered was thrown out. Luca had his men retrieve Teresa’s original bed frame from the storage facility in the middle of the night.

I was standing in the kitchen, preparing warm broth, when Luca walked in.

He looked exhausted but completely at peace.

“How is she?” I asked.

“The best doctors in the country are flying in this afternoon,” Luca said, leaning against the marble counter. “They said the previous prognosis was based on cheap, outdated medicine. She has a fighting chance.”

I smiled. “And Leo?”

“He’s upstairs. Teaching my mother how to play a video game.” Luca chuckled, shaking his head.

He looked at me. His dark eyes were filled with immense gratitude.

“You risked everything yesterday, Hannah. You stood up to Vanessa. You protected my mother. You protected my son.”

“I just did what was right, Mr. Moretti.”

“Luca. Call me Luca.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. He slid it across the counter.

“I paid off your mother’s medical bills,” he said quietly. “And the mortgage on your apartment. You don’t have to work here anymore if you don’t want to.”

Tears pricked my eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll stay,” a small voice said from the doorway.

Leo was standing there, holding the faded pale-blue blanket.

“My grandma says you’re part of the family now,” Leo said, walking up to me. “And my mom told me to give you this.”

He held out the blanket.

“She said to check the pocket.”

I frowned. I hadn’t realized the blanket even had a pocket. I ran my fingers along the seam and found a small, hidden slit sewn into the lining.

I reached inside.

My fingers brushed against cold metal. I pulled it out.

It was a heavy gold locket, encrusted with a single, perfect diamond.

But it wasn’t the jewelry that made my breath catch.

It was the engraved initials on the back.

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