Chapter 5 - THE EMBRACE OF WARTH
Six months passed.
Summer arrived, turning the grounds of the Viscari estate into a lush paradise of blooming roses, green lawns, and sunlit fountains.
The heavy, foreboding silence of the third floor was completely gone. Sophie’s bright laughter regularly echoed down the halls as she played with her toys in the newly built playground in the south courtyard.
Alessandro, who had spent eight years keeping his heart locked away behind iron doors, had changed completely. He spent his evenings sitting on the terrace with us, leaving his work in the office.
One evening, after Sophie had fallen asleep, Alessandro and I walked along the rose garden paths under the starry summer sky.
"You look peaceful, Alessandro," I said, slipping my arm through his.
Alessandro stopped near the central fountain, turning to face me. He took both of my hands into his broad palms.
"For eight years after my father died, I believed that solitude was my only protection," Alessandro admitted softly, his dark eyes shining with tender emotion. "I built walls around myself so high that no one could hurt me. But when your daughter walked into my boardroom holding that little white rabbit... she shattered every wall I had."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Inside rested a stunning diamond ring set in a band of white gold.
May you like
"Elena," Alessandro whispered softly. "You and Sophie brought life back into this home. I don't ever want to face another day without either of you."
Tears of joy filled my eyes as I nodded. "Yes, Alessandro. Yes."
