Chapter 10 - The Song That Never Ends
The autumn leaves fell softly outside the iron gates of the Long Island estate, dancing across the pristine lawns in the crisp morning breeze.
Inside the grand library, the fire crackled warmly in the carved walnut fireplace, casting a golden glow across the rows of heavy leather-bound books and the empty alcove where a hidden surveillance room once stood—now sealed permanently behind solid brick and fresh plaster.
Dominic sat in the center of the Persian rug, surrounded by building blocks, discarded storybooks, and crayons scattered across the floor.
Olivia was busy drawing a picture of a house with three chimneys and a giant sun in the corner. Sophie was reading a pop-up book about dinosaurs out loud to anyone who would listen. And Nora was sitting right in Dominic’s lap, her small fingers tracing the silver band on his left ring finger.
Elena—now simply Elena, sitting in the armchair by the window with a cup of tea in her hand—watched them with a quiet, contented smile that chased away the last lingering ghosts of the past.
The front doorbell rang, soft and melodic through the halls.
Mrs. Donnelly, the house manager, walked into the library with a small silver tray holding a stack of mail. She paused, looking at the scene before her—the former mafia boss sitting cross-legged on the floor, laughing with his daughters, completely at peace in a house that was finally filled with life, light, and unbreakable love.
"Just some final correspondence from the trust, Mr. Romano," Mrs. Donnelly said respectfully.
Dominic looked up, smiling as he shifted Nora slightly on his knee. "Just leave it on the hall table, Mrs. Donnelly. No more business today."
"Yes, sir," she smiled softly before turning to leave.
As the footsteps faded down the hallway, Nora looked up at Dominic, her big eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Daddy?" she asked.
"Yes, my love?" Dominic answered, pulling her a little closer.
"Can we sing the song again?"
Dominic looked across the room at Elena, then down at his three daughters, whose voices were the sweetest music he would ever know.
May you like
He smiled, his heart finally, truly at rest.
"Sing as loud as you want, sweetheart," Dominic said, his voice ringing out in the warm, sunlit room. "Daddy’s listening."
