Chapter 11
The following Saturday was supposed to be the day of Luca and Vanessa’s wedding.
Instead of a massive, opulent ceremony filled with fake friends and dangerous enemies, the day broke with rain and quiet domesticity.
I woke up early, pulling on a comfortable sweater, and padded softly down to the kitchen to start making coffee.
When I turned the corner, I stopped dead in my tracks.
The massive granite kitchen island was covered in flowers. Not the stiff, formal white lilies Vanessa had chosen for the wedding, but wild, vibrant sunflowers, daisies, and blue hydrangeas.
Standing in the middle of the kitchen, looking incredibly proud of himself, was Ethan.
“Surprise!” he yelled, throwing his arms in the air.
Luca stepped out from behind the refrigerator, a genuine, boyish smile on his face. He was holding a small, velvet jewelry box.
“What is all this?” I laughed, bringing my hands to my face as tears instantly welled in my eyes.
“We know today was supposed to be a big day,” Ethan said, walking up to me and taking my hand. “But Daddy and I talked about it. We didn’t want today to be a sad day. We wanted it to be a happy day. Because it’s the day we didn’t make a huge mistake.”
I let out a wet laugh, kneeling down to hug him tightly. “It is a very happy day, Ethan.”
Luca walked over, kneeling down beside us.
“Nora,” Luca said, his voice thick with emotion. He opened the velvet box.
Inside wasn’t a diamond engagement ring. It was a beautiful, delicate silver bracelet.
I gasped, recognizing it immediately.
“My mother’s bracelet,” I whispered, touching the intricate silver weaving. “She pawned this three years ago to pay for her first surgery. How did you…?”
“I have a lot of resources,” Luca smiled gently. “And a very persistent team. I wanted to give you something that actually meant something. Not something bought with blood money. Something that represents family.”
He took the bracelet out of the box and gently clasped it around my wrist. It fit perfectly.
“I know I have a dark past, Nora,” Luca said, looking directly into my eyes. “I know my world is dangerous. But I swear on my life, I will spend every day making sure the only tears you ever cry are happy ones.”
Ethan threw his arms around both of our necks, pulling us into a messy, joyful group hug.
“Does this mean you’re my new mom?” Ethan asked, his voice muffled against my sweater.
I looked over Ethan’s head, meeting Luca’s dark, loving eyes.
“If you’ll have me,” I whispered.
“We’ll have you,” Luca promised, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Forever.”
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