Chapter 12 - THE LITTLE BOY WHO WATCHED THE STARS
The heavy wooden doors of the study banged open.
Luca tore across the room, pulling the master key from his pocket and shoving it into the bottom drawer of the file cabinet. He yanked it open, frantically digging through the thick stacks of ledgers and property deeds.
He pulled out the manila envelope.
He ripped it open.
There they were. The divorce papers.
Signed by Caroline on the last page.
But the spaces for Luca’s signature, the notary seal, and the judge’s stamp were completely blank.
Luca stared at the blank lines, a massive, brilliant smile breaking across his face. It was the first time I had ever seen him truly smile. The mafia boss looked like a boy who had just been given the world.
He grabbed the papers and sprinted out of the study.
I followed him out to the terrace.
Caroline was standing by the stone steps, holding Benjamin’s hand, ready to leave.
“Caroline!” Luca shouted, bursting through the glass doors.
She turned around, wiping her eyes. “Luca, please don't make this harder—”
“Look at this,” he interrupted, shoving the papers into her hands.
Caroline frowned, taking the documents with her good hand. She looked down at them.
“These are our divorce papers,” she said, confused.
“Look at the last page.”
She flipped to the back. She stared at the empty signature line next to hers.
“You didn't sign them?” she whispered.
“I couldn't,” Luca said, stepping closer. He didn't care that the staff was watching. He didn't care about anything else in the world. “I paid the lawyer to lie to you. I paid him to tell you they were filed. But I couldn't put my name on that paper, Caroline. Because it was a lie. I never stopped being your husband.”
Caroline stared at the blank line, her breath hitching.
“I didn't trust you to fight with me because I was terrified of losing you,” Luca confessed, gently taking her face in his hands. “But I promise you, in front of our son, in front of everyone… I will never make a decision for our family alone again. You are my queen. You have always been my queen.”
Caroline dropped the papers. They scattered across the stone terrace in the wind.
She threw her good arm around his neck, pulling him into a desperate, passionate kiss.
Luca caught her, lifting her off her feet, holding her like he was never going to let her go again.
Benjamin gasped, jumping up and down.
“Are you staying, Mommy?!” he cheered. “Are we staying?!”
Caroline pulled back, laughing through her tears. She looked down at her son.
“We’re staying, baby. We’re home.”
Three weeks later.
The engagement decorations were long gone. The Bellini name was never spoken in the house again. Don Bellini had passed away quietly in his compound, and without an heir or the blood contract, his empire was quickly absorbed by the Commission, leaving the Morettis in absolute peace.
I walked into the master suite, carrying a stack of freshly pressed linens.
My shoulder was almost completely healed.
“Rachel!” Caroline called out, walking out of the walk-in closet. Her cast was gone, replaced by a much smaller brace. She looked radiant.
“Yes, Mrs. Moretti?”
“Stop carrying things,” she scolded gently, coming over to take the linens from me. “You’re the Estate Manager now. You have people to do this for you.”
I smiled, blushing slightly.
Luca had kept his promise. The morning after the storm, he had handed me a check that paid off my mother's rent, her medical bills, and bought her a small, beautiful house in the suburbs. And he had promoted me, doubling my salary and ensuring I would never have to worry about money again.
“Old habits, ma'am,” I laughed.
“Well, break them,” Caroline smiled. “Come on. It’s almost time.”
I followed her out to the back gardens.
The sun had just set, and the sky above Chicago was clear and filled with stars.
In the center of the lawn, a small blanket was laid out.
Sitting on the blanket was Benjamin.
He was looking through his perfectly glued wooden telescope, pointing it at the sky.
Next to him sat Luca, pointing out the constellations.
And tied to the back of the stone bench beside them was a single, perfect blue balloon.
“See that one, buddy?” Luca said, pointing upward. “That’s Orion’s belt.”
“I see it!” Benjamin beamed, peering through the glass.
Caroline walked over and sat down beside them, resting her head on Luca’s shoulder. Luca immediately wrapped his arm around her, kissing her hair.
Mrs. Carter’s replacement, a kind young woman named Maria, walked out onto the lawn carrying a silver tray.
On the tray was a massive, three-tiered chocolate birthday cake.
Benjamin lowered his telescope. His eyes went wide.
“Is that for me?” he asked softly.
“Every last piece, buddy,” Luca smiled.
Maria set the cake down on the blanket. There were nine candles burning brightly on top.
No one told him to be quiet. No one told him he was taking up too much space. No one told him his wishes didn't matter.
“Make a wish, Ben,” Caroline whispered, brushing his dark hair back.
Benjamin looked at the candles. He didn't close his eyes. He didn't need to.
He looked at his father. He looked at his mother. He looked at the blue balloon bobbing gently in the night breeze.
He already had everything he ever wanted.
May you like
Benjamin took a deep breath, and blew out every single candle.
And under the stars, surrounded by people who loved him, the little boy finally smiled.
