Chapter 10 - Claimed Before the Sun
Three weeks later.
The Moretti estate had been completely restored, the scars of battle erased by teams of craftsmen until the marble shone brighter than ever before. The rose gardens bloomed under the warm afternoon sun, and the sound of laughter echoed from the sunroom.
Isabella sat at her grand piano, her health noticeably improved. Beside her, a speech therapist smiled as Isabella managed to pronounce clear, simple syllables: "Nao... mi. Lu... ca."
Naomi sat beside Isabella, wearing an elegant ivory sundress, clapping her hands with genuine delight. "That was wonderful, Isabella! You're making so much progress!"
The French doors swung open, and Luca walked in, dressed in a sharp tailored navy suit. As always, the moment he entered the room, his eyes searched for Naomi and softened the instant he found her.
Isabella smiled slyly, playing a single, cheerful chord before gesturing to her therapist that she wanted to take a walk in the gardens, leaving the two of them alone.
Luca walked over to where Naomi was standing by the window. He caught her by the waist and pulled her flush against him, kissing her deeply, a slow, passionate kiss that left her breathless and dizzy with happiness.
"You're home early," Naomi murmured against his lips, her hands resting naturally against his broad chest.
"I handed over the dock operations to Marco," Luca whispered, his fingers tangling in her soft hair. "I have more important business to attend to."
"Oh? What business could possibly be more important to the Don of the city?"
Luca reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. He flipped it open.
Inside rested a breathtaking cushion-cut emerald ring surrounded by brilliant diamonds—a stone known throughout the city’s history as the Moretti Legacy Ring, worn only by the official matriarch of the family.
Naomi gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Luca..."
"I promised you that the entire city would know who you are," Luca said, getting down on one knee right before her. His voice was steady, filled with raw emotion and an ironclad vow. "You came into this house as a servant, but you proved yourself to have the heart of a protector and the soul of a queen. My mother loves you. My men respect you. And I... I am completely, utterly in love with you, Naomi Carter."
Tears of pure joy spilled down Naomi's cheeks. "Luca, I love you too. With all my heart."
"Then marry me," Luca demanded softly, slipping the heavy emerald onto her ring finger. "Be my wife. Rule this city beside me."
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"Yes!" Naomi cried, throwing her arms around his neck as he stood up, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around the sunroom.
He held her close, pressing his forehead against hers, their shared laughter filling the sanctuary of their home. For the first time in her life, Naomi knew what it felt like to be completely cherished, protected, and truly home.
