Chapter 10 - The New King and Queen
Six months later, the palazzo had been beautifully restored.
The blood and ashes were scrubbed away, replaced by blooming lilies and white roses from my own garden.
I stood in front of the grand mirror, adjusting the white silk of my wedding dress.
Leo ran into the room, wearing a tiny tuxedo and holding his wooden bear.
"Mama, you look like a princess!" he cheered.
I smiled, kneeling down to kiss his cheek.
"And you look very handsome, my little prince."
The heavy oak doors opened, and Lorenzo walked in, taking my breath away.
He looked every bit the powerful king of the underworld, but his eyes were filled only with love.
He crouched down next to Leo, fixing the boy's bowtie.
"Are you ready to give your mother away, son?" Lorenzo asked.
Leo nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Papa."
My heart melted at the word.
Lorenzo had officially adopted Leo, giving him the Rossi name and ensuring no one would ever touch him.
The wooden bear sat safely on a shelf; the Falcone fortune had been used to build orphanages across the city.
Lorenzo stood up and offered me his arm.
"The families are waiting to meet their new Queen," he smiled.
I took his hand, feeling the solid, undeniable weight of his protection and love.
I was no longer just a housekeeper or a poor florist hiding from the world.
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I was Clara Rossi, the wife of the most feared man in Italy.
And as we walked out into the grand hall together, I knew our family would reign forever.
