Chapter 14 - THREE YEARS LATERThree years after Aurelios, Elena’s studio filled with sunlight.
Matteo was nine.
Not four anymore.
The original ending had compressed time strangely; life rarely did. Here, three years had truly passed.
Elena had her own career.
Dante’s legal businesses survived.
Smaller.
Cleaner.
Prescott still complained.
Michael had testified, served probation for financial crimes, and disappeared from Elena’s life by mutual preference.
Gina worked in another restaurant.
Luca remained incarcerated.
Harrison too.
Isabella’s case continued through appeals.
Not every thread ended neatly.
Good.
Real life.
Dante stood in Elena’s studio.
“I have a question.”
“No.”
“You don't know it.”
“Still no.”
He took out a ring.
She sighed.
“Dante.”
“No giant speech.”
“Good.”
“No public spectacle.”
“Better.”
“No moving you into my house.”
She stared.
He continued:
“No debt.”
“No protection contract.”
“No ‘you belong to me.’”
“Excellent growth.”
He smiled nervously.
“Elena Rossi, will you marry me?”
She looked at him.
Not the boss.
Not savior.
Not danger.
The man who had learned to open doors.
“Yes.”
He actually exhaled.
She laughed.
Matteo shouted from behind the studio door:
“I KNEW IT!”
Elena glared.
“You were listening?”
“Yes.”
Dante looked proud.
May you like
“You taught him.”
“Unfortunately.”
