Chapter 9 - RECLAIMING THE THRONE
The aftermath was a swift, brutal cleansing of the Rossi empire. Lorenzo didn't just take his throne back; he burned it down and rebuilt it with absolute authority. With Dante dead, the remaining traitors scattered, only to be hunted down by Lorenzo’s fiercely loyal inner circle, who had been in hiding waiting for their Don’s return.
I stayed in a highly secured penthouse in the city, far away from the bloodshed. My days were spent nursing Leo, who was now a chubby, laughing, completely healthy infant. He was the light of my life, a miracle that had filled the gaping void left by Lily's death. I knew I couldn't replace her, but loving Leo didn't erase her memory; it honored the mother she had made me.
When Lorenzo finally returned to the penthouse two weeks later, he looked exhausted but victorious. The darkness that used to cling to him like a shroud was gone. He walked into the nursery—a new, brightly lit room filled with toys and sunshine—and watched me feeding his son.
"The streets are quiet," Lorenzo said, sitting beside me. "The family is secured. No one will ever threaten my bloodline again."
He looked at me, taking my hand in his. "I owe you everything, Maya. I can set you up anywhere in the world. New identity, millions in the bank. You can have any life you want."
My heart plummeted into my stomach. Was he sending me away? Now that Leo was healthy and eating solid foods alongside my milk, did he not need me anymore?
"Is that... is that what you want?" I asked, my voice trembling, tears springing to my eyes at the thought of leaving the baby—and the man—I had fallen in love with.
May you like
Lorenzo’s eyes widened in panic, and he dropped to one knee, grasping both of my hands. "God, no. No, Maya. That is the opposite of what I want."
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