Chapter 13 - The Confession

We returned to the estate well past midnight.

The house was quiet, lit only by the soft glow of the landscape lighting shining through the high windows. Leo was fast asleep in the nursery under the watchful care of our trusted head of housekeeping.

Hannah stood on the master balcony, looking out over the dark Atlantic waves crashing against the rocky cliffs below. The cool ocean breeze fluttered the hem of her emerald gown.

I walked out to join her, carrying two glasses of vintage wine, and handed one to her.

"A successful evening," I remarked, leaning against the stone balustrade.

"Thank you, Lorenzo," she said softly, taking a sip. "For defending me. For giving me my life back."

"You gave me mine first," I replied, looking directly at her profile against the moonlight. "Hannah... when Sophia died, I thought my life was over. I thought the only thing I had left in this world was vengeance. I was going to kill everyone responsible and then let the darkness swallow me whole."

Hannah turned to face me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"And then you walked into that nursery," I continued, setting my glass down and taking a step closer to her. "You saved Leo. But you also saved me. You brought light back into a home that was built on blood and stone."

"Lorenzo..." she whispered, her breath trembling.

"I love you, Hannah," I said, laying bare every piece of my soul that I had kept locked away behind armor and steel. "Not just because you are a mother to my son, but because of who you are. Your strength, your grace, your heart. I want you to stay here. Not as an employee. Not as a guardian. As my wife."

Hannah’s hand flew to her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Are you sure? I have so much baggage, Lorenzo... my past, my scars—"

"I don't care about your past," I said fiercely, reaching out to take both of her hands in mine. "I love your scars. I love everything you are. Will you marry me, Hannah?"

She didn't hesitate. She threw her arms around my neck, pulling me close, and buried her face in my shoulder.

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"Yes," she sobbed happily into the night air. "Yes, Lorenzo. A thousand times yes."

I lifted her off her feet, spinning her around under the starlit sky, before pressing my lips against hers in a passionate, desperate kiss that sealed our broken pieces back together into one whole, unbreakable family.