Chapter 11 - The Vitali Legacy
Three days later, sitting in the private sunroom of the Vitali estate on my twenty-sixth birthday, the sunlight felt warmer and brighter than it ever had before. The federal audit had officially cleared my name, restored my family trust, and exposed my uncle’s criminal conspiracy once and for all.
Liam had already returned to his apartment with a hefty investment check from Alessandro to launch his own architectural firm, promising to visit every weekend with terrible jokes and homemade coffee.
The door to the sunroom opened softly, and Alessandro walked in, holding a single red rose and a small velvet box in his hand. He knelt beside my chair, his amber eyes filled with a tenderness that contrast sharply with his ruthless business reputation.
“The trust is officially yours, Elizabeth Vance,” Alessandro whispered, placing the rose in my lap. “And your uncle will never bother you again.”
“Thank you, Alessandro,” I murmured, reaching out to touch his cheek. “For everything. I thought I was going to have to run for the rest of my life.”
“You never have to run again,” Alessandro said softly, opening the velvet box to reveal a stunning diamond ring that caught the sunlight like frozen rain. “You belong with me. And our child belongs here where they are safe.”
May you like
I looked down at the ring, then up into his amber eyes, knowing that the frightened diner waitress who dropped champagne glasses six weeks ago was entirely gone. In her place stood Elizabeth Vance—survivor, mother, and future mistress of the Vitali empire.
“Yes,” I whispered, leaning down to kiss him. “I’ll stay.”
