Chapter 14 - THE HOUSE THAT FINALLY HAD COLOR
Two years after Emma painted Alessandro's face, the Moretti estate looked different.
The walls were lighter.
The curtains were open.
The dark furniture had been replaced in several rooms.
A large painting hung above the living room sofa.
It showed a yellow house.
A purple dog.
A blue butterfly.
And three stick figures holding hands.
Emma's masterpiece.
Sophia laughed when she first saw it framed.
“You put that in the living room?”
Alessandro nodded.
“Best art in the house.”
She shook her head.
“You own paintings worth millions.”
He smiled.
“None of them made me laugh.”
Their relationship had become serious.
Sophia had her own career.
Her own apartment.
Her own savings.
And a life she had built independently.
Alessandro respected that.
One evening, he invited Sophia and Emma to dinner at the estate.
After dessert, he asked Sophia to walk with him into the garden.
The city lights glowed beyond the walls.
Alessandro stopped beside a fountain.
“Sophia.”
She turned.
He took a breath.
“I've spent most of my life believing that love meant keeping people close enough that nothing could take them away.”
She listened.
“But you taught me that love means giving people room to choose.”
Her eyes filled.
He reached into his pocket.
A small velvet box.
Sophia gasped.
Alessandro opened it.
Inside was a simple diamond ring.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love Emma.”
“And I want to spend my life building a home where neither of you ever has to be afraid.”
Sophia covered her mouth.
“Will you marry me?”
She laughed through tears.
“Yes.”
Alessandro closed his eyes.
Then kissed her.
From behind a hedge came a small voice.
“Does that mean I get to paint your face at the wedding?”
They turned.
Emma stood there holding a paintbrush.
Alessandro laughed.
“Apparently.”
Sophia shook her head.
“Emma!”
The little girl grinned.
May you like
“I already picked the colors.”
And the garden filled with laughter.
