Chapter 9 - THE WEDDING
Tom opened the door.
Standing on the porch was Nico Caruso, holding a large, sealed envelope. Behind him, the black SUV idled quietly.
“I apologize for the intrusion,” Nico said, stepping into the entryway and removing his hat. He looked at my mother, then at Lily, giving a respectful nod.
He handed the envelope to Tom.
“What is this?” Tom asked.
“It’s a deed,” Nico said simply. “To a house in the suburbs. And a trust fund set up in Lily’s name, seeded with the money Celeste and Richard Harrington stole from this family.”
We stared at him in shock.
“Mr. Caruso, we can’t accept this,” I started.
Nico held up a hand. “Leo Miller died trying to fix a wrong on my property. He was an honorable man. I don’t like leaving debts unpaid. This settles the ledger for Leo.”
He looked at me, a faint, genuine smile touching his lips.
“Besides, Amelia, you quit your job tonight. You’ll need a place to host your wedding.”
Two weeks later, the sun shone brightly over the sprawling backyard of the new house. The grass was green, the flowers were blooming, and the air smelled like fresh beginnings.
I stood in front of a mirror in the master bedroom, wearing the white dress. My mother stood behind me, adjusting the veil, while Lily sat on the edge of the bed, carefully polishing Leo’s silver pocket watch with a soft cloth.
“You look beautiful,” Lily said softly.
She looked entirely different from the terrified girl at the train station. The heavy shadows under her eyes were gone. She belonged here. She was safe.
I turned around and took my sister’s hands. “Thank you.”
When I walked out into the backyard, a small acoustic guitar was playing. There were no mafia bosses, no cruel employers, and no secrets. Just a small group of friends, my mother, and my sister in the front row.
Tom stood at the end of the aisle. He was wearing his suit—not the funeral suit, but a brand-new navy blue one that fit him perfectly.
As I walked toward him, I saw him check the time. He didn’t use his phone. He clicked open the silver pocket watch, smiled, and slipped it safely back into his chest pocket, right over his heart.
He took my hands as I reached the altar.
“You’re right on time,” he whispered.
I looked back at my family, then up at the man I loved. The monster who tried to tear us apart was gone, leaving us with something stronger than she could ever understand.
May you like
“I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be,” I said.
And as the officiant began to speak, holding us together under the open sky, I knew I had finally come home.
