Chapter 9 - THE LIFE THEY NEVER HAD
Months passed.
The Bellini organization collapsed after federal investigations exposed its financial network.
Luca was arrested in Vancouver.
Elena faced multiple charges.
Dante stepped away from most of his criminal operations.
He turned legitimate companies over to independent management.
Some people didn't believe him.
Some never would.
But Claire did.
Not immediately.
Trust was not a switch.
It was a bridge.
They rebuilt it slowly.
Dante learned school schedules.
He attended parent meetings.
He burned pancakes every Saturday.
Mia adored him.
Claire pretended not to.
One evening, Dante stood in the kitchen holding a burnt pancake.
“It's supposed to be shaped like a horse.”
Mia stared.
“It looks like a shoe.”
Claire laughed.
Dante looked offended.
“You're both cruel.”
Mia climbed onto a chair.
“Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Are you staying?”
Dante stopped.
Claire looked at him.
He crouched beside Mia.
“Yes.”
“Forever?”
He swallowed.
“Forever.”
Mia smiled.
Then she hugged him.
Claire watched from the doorway.
Dante looked at her.
“Your turn.”
“My turn for what?”
He reached into his pocket.
A small velvet box.
Claire's eyes widened.
“No.”
“That's not the reaction I hoped for.”
She laughed.
“Dante…”
“I know we can't erase six years.”
He opened the box.
Inside was a simple ring.
“But maybe we can give the next sixty a chance.”
Claire stared at him.
“You're asking me to marry you?”
“No.”
She blinked.
“What?”
“I'm asking you to choose me again.”
Her eyes filled.
“That is much harder.”
“I know.”
She took the ring.
“Yes.”
Dante smiled.
Mia screamed.
“I KNEW IT!”
Claire laughed.
For once, nothing exploded.
No gunshots.
No threats.
No secrets.
Just three people standing in a warm kitchen.
A family.
Finally.
But the past wasn't completely finished.
That night, Claire received an anonymous envelope.
Inside was one photograph.
Luca.
Behind him stood a man Claire didn't recognize.
On the back were six words.
YOU NEVER FOUND THE REAL BOSS.
May you like
Claire stared at it.
Her smile vanished.
