Chapter 6 - THE SUNRISE ON BEACON HILL
Three months later.
The morning sun broke through the autumn trees surrounding the Beacon Hill estate, casting long, golden beams of light across the manicured green lawn.
The heavy, gloomy dark curtains that used to cover the mansion's massive arched windows had all been replaced with light, cream-colored linen that fluttered gently in the cool breeze.
Down in the garden, six-year-old Leo was wearing a bright blue soccer jersey, kicking a ball across the grass toward a small makeshift goal.
"Pass it to me, Leo! Pass it!" three-year-old Lily giggled, running after him in her tiny sneakers, her red pigtails bouncing with every step.
"Here it comes, Lily! Watch out!" Leo shouted, his voice filled with bright, ringing laughter that carried easily across the entire yard.
I stood on the stone patio, holding a tray of fresh lemonade, watching them with a warm, overflowing heart.
My brother's medical bills were completely paid off. The Castiglione syndicate was gone, Elena was locked away in a high-security European facility, and the darkness that had haunted this family for years had finally vanished under the bright light of a new beginning.
Two arms wrapped gently around my waist from behind.
Dominic pulled me back against his chest, burying his face in the crook of my neck, kissing my skin softly. He was wearing a simple white linen shirt, his dark hair messy, looking younger and happier than I had ever seen him.
"You're staring again," he murmured against my skin, his hands resting possessively over my stomach.
"I can't help it," I smiled, leaning my head back against his shoulder. "Every time I hear him laugh... I still feel like I'm dreaming."
Dominic turned me around in his arms, looking down at me with dark eyes overflowing with warmth, devotion, and unconditional love.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box.
My breath caught in my throat.
Dominic slowly dropped to one knee on the stone patio.
"Isabella," he said, his voice thick with emotion as he flipped the box open, revealing a breathtaking, flawless diamond ring that sparkled brilliantly under the morning sun. "Three months ago, I thought my life was over. I thought my son was lost forever, and I was destined to die alone in the dark."
He reached up, taking my left hand in his, his fingers warm and steady.
"You and Lily didn't just clean my house," Dominic whispered, tears shining in his eyes. "You saved my son. You saved me. You gave us a family when we didn't deserve one."
"Dominic..." tears spilled over my eyelashes, running down my smiling cheeks.
"Will you marry me, Isabella?" Dominic asked, his heart in his voice. "Will you be my wife, Leo's mother, and let me spend the rest of my life protecting you and Lily?"
Before I could answer, two pairs of small feet came pounding across the patio.
Leo and Lily rushed over, bumping into Dominic’s back, giggling uncontrollably.
"Say yes, Mommy! Say yes!" Lily cheered, jumping up and down.
Leo looked up at me with bright, dark eyes—the same eyes that used to be so full of sorrow, now filled with pure hope. "Please say yes, Isabella. I want you to be my mom."
I dropped to my knees beside Dominic, pulling both children into a massive, warm hug, before wrapping my arms around Dominic’s neck, pressing my lips to his in a deep, passionate kiss.
"Yes," I sobbed happily against his lips. "Yes, thousands of times yes!"
Dominic laughed—a deep, rich, booming sound that echoed through the sunlit gardens—as he slipped the ring onto my finger and pulled all three of us into his arms.
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The feared Don of Boston was gone.
In his place stood a man who was finally whole, surrounded by the family he had fought so hard to find.
