Chapter 15 - The First Family Breakfast and the Future That Began in the North Wing
Up in the north wing library, the morning sun was streaming through the bulletproof glass windows, flooding the expansive room with warm, golden light.
Mia was sitting at a small child-sized table, happily coloring a picture of a dinosaur with green crayons, while Mr. Buttons sat perched on the edge of her chair watching over her work.
Clara stood by the kitchen island, pouring fresh orange juice into a glass, her hands no longer shaking.
The heavy steel door at the elevator entrance clicked open.
Lorenzo walked into the room, his suit jacket draped over his arm, his tie loosened.
Mia looked up immediately, dropping her green crayon and scrambling off her chair.
"Grumpy Man!" she announced happily, running across the Persian rug and throwing her arms around his knees.
Lorenzo stopped, looking down at her with an expression so completely devoid of his usual cold armor that it took Clara’s breath away.
He knelt down, picking Mia up effortlessly and swinging her up into his arms, where she let out a delighted squeal.
"I am not grumpy," Lorenzo protested mildly, a genuine smile breaking across his face. "I am a very serious businessman."
"Nope," Mia giggled, patting his cheek with her small hand. "You're my papa now."
Lorenzo froze.
The word hung in the air, sweet and absolute.
He looked past Mia’s shoulder, meeting Clara’s hazel eyes across the room.
May you like
Clara stood by the counter, her heart full, her chest aching with a warmth she had never expected to feel in a million lifetimes. She didn't run away. She didn't look down. She just smiled—softly, honestly, and entirely without fear.
Lorenzo Duca tightened his hold on the little girl in his arms, resting his cheek against her soft hair, knowing with absolute certainty that his walls had finally fallen down—and that he had never been more secure in his entire life.
