Chapter 7 - the smooth path
Two days later, the atmosphere inside the Moretti estate had transformed completely.
Evelyn Crane’s corrupt presence had been purged from the property. Norah Bennett had been officially promoted to Head Estate Administrator, receiving a salary four times higher than her former wage, while the domestic staff received full back-pay for the wages Evelyn had stolen.
In the main kitchen, the raised marble threshold that had caused little Lily so much pain had been completely removed. A smooth, seamless wooden transition had been installed by master carpenters, allowing Lily to walk effortlessly between the pantry and the dining area.
Four-year-old Lily marched proudly across the new wooden threshold, holding her stuffed rabbit, her pale-yellow dress bouncing with every step.
"Look, Mommy!" Lily cheered happily, walking back and forth without tripping once. "No bump!"
Anna sat at the kitchen island, laughing softly through tears of happiness as she watched her daughter walk freely.
Dominic walked into the kitchen wearing a dark navy suit. He stopped beside Anna, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"The Johns Hopkins medical team arrived an hour ago, Anna," Dominic informed her softly. "Dr. Vance reviewed Lily’s bone scans. The procedure is scheduled for tomorrow morning at nine."
Anna stood up, looking into Dominic’s dark, intense eyes. "Is it safe, Dominic?"
"Dr. Vance is the top pediatric surgeon in the country," Dominic assured her, his voice deep and solid. "I will be standing outside the operating room the entire time."
Anna reached up, resting her hand over his broad chest, feeling the steady, strong beat of his heart. "Dominic... for four years, I felt like the world was pushing us down. You saved my daughter’s life... and you gave me back my dignity."
Dominic looked down into her beautiful face, his dark eyes filled with an intense, fierce devotion. He leaned down slowly, his lips meeting hers in a deep, sweet, passionate kiss that sealed four years of hardship into a promise of a bright future.
Lily giggled happily from the doorway, covering her eyes with her stuffed rabbit's ears. "Mommy is kissing Mr. Moretti!"
May you like
Dominic broke the kiss, a rich, warm laugh rumbling in his chest as he looked at the little girl. "Come here, little boss."
Dominic lifted Lily into his broad arms, holding both Anna and her daughter close against his chest as the warm afternoon sun poured through the kitchen windows.
