Page 109 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Istepped onto the balcony and flung the windows open wide, something that had become my ritual every visit. The scent of grapes and lilacs from the garden wafted in the breeze. The city stood before me in all its glory, ancient and alive. Truly, there was nothing like Florence in spring. It was a place for renaissance, passion, and rebirths that had worked its magic on me. I’d arrived as a woman on the edge, bracing for an arranged marriage to a man I had just met. Back then, I was full of anger and fear, yet I remained steadfast in our family values: respect, honor, and, above all, obedience. But everything shifted the moment Rocco Marini entered my life.

I lingered before my portrait, Santiago’s brushstrokes capturing me where Luca once hung Aurora’s likeness. From a motel room and a broken spirit, I had risen to become a book illustrator and wife of the Marini family’s patriarch, RoccoMarini. The journey was never simple, but with resilience and hope, I endured. Better still, I fell in love and now have my own family.

Checking the time, I quickly checked on baby Tessa. She was still fast asleep in her pram. I gave her head a gentle kiss, then left the room to greet Cass, who was due to arrive any moment. At the bottom of the stairs, I already caught her laughter echoing through the foyer. My heart lifted at the sight of her. She shone as a rising starlet, yet remained my mischievous bestie. She stood beside my grandmother, playing with the toy bear’s hands she held out to her.

Cass turned, and she ran over to my open arms. We spun in a whirl of laughter, arms wrapped tight. “How are you, gorgeous?”

“Fantastic, gorgeous,” I replied, and I meant it. Life had only gotten better over the years, and with Rocco by my side, it was bound to get even better.

I touched her Vulcan ears and laughed.

She grinned. “I kept them to show Luca.”

Luca, at four, was already obsessed with books. His small voice often echoed through the house with questions, like “Do bears really sleep all winter?” or “If I fly could I touch a star?” His curiosity was boundless, fascinating us all. However, if anyone could pull his attention away, it would be Cass or Grandmother.

She had a bear in her hand, but I also noticed she had a book about bears. “He wants to learn about bears, and I told him we’ll read up on it, and I’ll take him to see one.” Her adoration for Luca was true, and it was clear that coming to the house that almost was hers and having to hear Luca’s name, knowing all he’d done to her, couldn’t have been easy. However, Grandmother never showed a sign of annoyance.

I hugged her, and she hugged me back. “Glad you are here. Luca’s going to be so overjoyed to see you.”

“Where’s Tessa?” she asked.

“Fast asleep.”

“On her side or back?” Grandmother couldn’t help, but fuss.

“You’re welcome to go and check,” I said grinning.

She squeezed my arm and left to do just that.

“Luca Reginald Emannuele,” my grandfather declared, walking in with two more bags of toys, delighting in every syllable. He believed I named our son after him, and it was partially true, though Reginald was also the name of my grandmother’s great-grandfather. I’d wanted to honor the Belfiores’ and Longfellows’ legacy. He’d also mellowed. The sharp suits were gone, or at least the blazer was. He kissed my cheeks, a gesture that still surprised me but now filled me with happiness.

“How are you, Rocco and the kids?” he asked.

I beamed at him. “Great. We’re all doing well.” Everyone had a habit of checking in after what my father had done. A piece of what they believed was his body washed up on the shore many miles away from Italy before Luca was born. His wife wasn’t pregnant, but came out to say he abused her and that was why she fled to Rome. There was no investigation into his death and his disappearance was closed by the police. No one cared.

“Good. Congratulations. I love the cover ofThe Becomingseries. Do you know when the new book is coming out?” He cocked a brow, a playful glint in his eyes.

I shook my head and laughed. “You know I don’t. But I’m glad you like the covers.”

Miles Crane burst into the room and made a beeline for Grandfather. “Can we play chess again? I bet I can beat you this time.” He rubbed his hands together with mock villainy, making Cass and me laugh.

“You won’t beat me, but I’ll let you try,” Grandfather said to him with snark.

Grandmother walked up tutting. “Oh, Reg.”

“He’ll learn. Right, Miles?”

“That’s right. I’m not afraid,” Miles said and ran off down the hallway.

“Now, where’s Luca?” Grandfather said with a twinkle in his eyes.

“He’s in the bedroom, but don’t stay too long. The announcement and dinner are starting soon.”

We heard the piano start and knew Paul was playing while Nadia sang the old song, “Love Will Keep Us Together.”

I walked into the room, picked up the tambourine, and Cass did the shimmy around me, then we bumped hips to the rhythm.

“Partying without me? How rude,” Xander called from the edge of the living room with Wyatt right behind him. We waved and cheered as Xander struck a dramatic disco finger pose. Wyatt feigned embarrassment but then pulled him in for a kiss.