Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE THAT LEARNED TO BREATHE
One year later, the Moretti estate felt different.
Gabriel visited often.
He and Dante were rebuilding their relationship.
Some days were easy.
Others were painful.
There were seven missing years between them.
Seven years of birthdays.
Holidays.
Arguments.
Ordinary moments they could never recover.
But they had decided not to spend the rest of their lives mourning what was gone.
Elena's restoration business grew.
She hired two apprentices.
Then opened a second workshop.
Rosa recovered enough to visit regularly.
She loved sitting near the front window, watching customers bring in old clocks and music boxes.
One afternoon, Dante arrived carrying a small wooden box.
Elena smiled.
“Another repair?”
He nodded.
“Something important.”
She opened it.
Inside was the music box she'd repaired during her first weeks at the estate.
Elena looked surprised.
“What's wrong with it?”
Dante smiled.
“Nothing.”
She frowned.
“Then why bring it?”
He stepped closer.
“Because it reminds me of the first time I noticed you.”
Elena's heart raced.
Dante continued.
“You were kneeling on the kitchen floor, helping Mrs. Alvarez fix something she thought was lost forever.”
He smiled.
“You didn't know anyone was watching.”
Elena looked down.
Dante took her hand.
“And you didn't ask for anything.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“That's when I began wondering who you were.”
Elena smiled.
“And what did you discover?”
May you like
Dante looked at her.
“That you're the strongest woman I've ever met.”
