Chapter 18 - A New Beginning

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Two months later, the Moretti estate was bathed in warm afternoon sunlight. The bullet holes had been plastered over, the shattered chandeliers replaced, and the blood scrubbed from the marble.
Dominic sat at his desk in his private study, signing paperwork to legitimate their casino businesses. The mafia war was over. With the Commission wiped out and his brother gone, Dominic had seized total control, ruling with an iron fist that ensured absolute peace.
The heavy doors pushed open, and Lily ran into the room, giggling. She was wearing a tiny sundress, holding her stuffed bear.
"Papa!" she squealed.
Dominic dropped his pen, a genuine smile breaking across his hardened face. He caught her as she ran to him, lifting her up and setting her on his lap. "What are you doing running in the halls, little one?"
"Mommy said it's time for lunch!" Lily announced, playing with the gold family ring on his little finger.
Sophia walked in shortly after, looking radiant in a white summer dress. She smiled warmly, leaning down to kiss Dominic on the lips. "Don't let her distract you. You promised you'd take a break today."
"I'm done," Dominic said, pulling Sophia onto his lap as well, wrapping his arms around his new family. He had legally adopted Lily, and he and Sophia were engaged. The maid had become the queen.
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"Are you happy?" Dominic asked softly, resting his chin on Sophia's shoulder.
"I am," she whispered. "For the first time in my life, I'm not afraid."