Chapter 9 - the council's verdict
Vanessa stumbled backward, her heels clicking loudly against the polished marble floor. She looked around frantically, but her four guards slowly raised their hands, realizing they were completely outmatched by the Bellucci enforcers surrounding the room.
"You ruined everything, Dominic!" Vanessa screamed, her voice losing all its glamorous composure. "That girl belonged to my family's legacy!"
"She never belonged to you," Dominic said flatly.
He gestured to Frank, who stepped down the stairs with Lily. Dominic took Lily’s small hand, pulling her gently to his side, away from the chaos.
Two senior Mafia council representatives stepped out from the side corridor, dressed in dark formal suits. The elder representative looked down at Vanessa with cold, absolute disapproval.
"Vanessa Crowe," the elder declared heavily. "For the crimes of kidnapping a Bellucci heir, forging official medical records, and extortion against a ruling family... you are hereby banished from the city of Baltimore and all associated territories. If you or your son ever set foot in this state again, the sentence will be carried out immediately."
Vanessa let out a choked gasp, her face pale as ash. Two council guards stepped forward, firmly taking her by the arms and escorting her out through the front doors into the rain.
Dominic looked down at his daughter. Lily was smiling warmly, her small hand resting comfortably in his broad palm.
"Let's go home, Lily," Dominic said softly. "Your brother is waiting for you."
An hour later, the convoy pulled back into the driveway of the Bellucci estate.
Inside the bright, warm living room, eight-year-old Charlie was sitting on the sofa with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. When the double doors opened and he saw Dominic walk in holding a little girl who looked just like the picture of their mother on his nightstand, Charlie stood up, his wide brown eyes filled with pure wonder.
"Charlie," Dominic said gently, bringing Lily forward. "This is your sister, Lily."
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Charlie walked slowly across the rug. He reached out, offering her his plush dog with a shy, sweet smile. Lily smiled back, handing him her plush white rabbit.
Bruno padded over, lying down between the two children on the rug, resting his large black head on his paws with a deep, content sigh.
