Chapter 14 - THE WOMAN HE CHOSE HIMSELF
Lucas and Hannah fell in love slowly.
There were no grand declarations at first.
No expensive gifts.
No promises made to impress society.
They talked.
Walked through Central Park.
Shared meals.
And learned how to be honest with each other.
Hannah never tried to replace Sofia.
She encouraged Matteo to remember his mother.
They looked at photographs.
Read old letters.
And listened to the music box together.
Lucas admired that.
He had feared loving someone new would mean betraying Sofia's memory.
Hannah helped him understand that love did not have to erase what came before.
One evening, Lucas and Hannah sat on the penthouse terrace.
The city lights stretched beneath them.
Lucas took her hand.
“Can I ask you something?”
Hannah smiled.
“You usually do.”
He laughed.
“Do you ever regret coming here?”
She considered the question.
“Sometimes.”
Lucas looked down.
“I understand.”
Hannah continued.
“But then I think about Matteo.”
Lucas smiled.
“He adores you.”
“I adore him.”
Lucas looked at her.
“And me?”
Hannah laughed softly.
“You're more complicated.”
He smiled.
“I've been told.”
She leaned closer.
“But I love you too.”
Lucas stopped breathing.
Then smiled.
“You do?”
Hannah nodded.
“Yes.”
Lucas kissed her.
Not because Matteo had chosen her.
Not because his family needed an alliance.
Not because society expected it.
Because he loved her.
Inside, Matteo was sleeping peacefully.
May you like
His repaired wooden train rested beside his bed.
And for the first time in years, Lucas felt that the future might hold something other than fear.
