Chapter 9 - The New Foundation
Six months later, the Moretti estate was filled with the sound of laughter and music once more.
The gold-trimmed sofa in the salon had officially lost its legendary curse. In fact, it had suffered a minor spill of strawberry juice the previous weekend—an accident that Dante had simply laughed off, reminding his staff that furniture was meant to be lived on, not preserved in fear.
The grand ballroom, once reserved for cold corporate galas and intimidating political displays, was now hosting Isla’s seventh birthday party. Thirty children from her new school were running across the hardwood floors, chasing balloons and eating cupcakes decorated with ivory bows.
Victor Hayes, still towering and vigilant, was currently wearing a paper party hat shaped like a pirate, patiently handing out juice boxes to a line of giggling first-graders. Marcus was busy organizing a game of musical chairs near the orchestra pit.
Vivien stood by the French doors that opened to the courtyard garden, watching the children with a bright, radiant smile. She had launched her own independent event design firm, fully backed by Dante's venture capital, but operating entirely on her creative vision.
A pair of strong, warm arms slid gently around her waist from behind. Dante rested his chin lightly against her shoulder, watching Isla blow out the candles on an enormous chocolate cake across the room.
""She looks happy,"" Dante whispered into her ear.
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""She is thrilled,"" Vivien replied, leaning her head back against his chest, feeling the steady, comforting beat of his heart. ""She told her teacher yesterday that her daddy used to be a grumpy bear who guarded an empty chair, but now he's the king of the castle.""
Dante chuckled softly. ""A king who answers entirely to two queens.""
