When Emma finished, Sophie was quiet for a long time.
“You love him.”
“Yes.”
“And he loves you.”
“Yes.”
“And he saved my life.”
Emma nodded.
Sophie exhaled. “Then I guess I owe him more than I can ever repay.”
“You don’t owe him anything. That’s the point.”
Sophie’s eyes filled. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For putting you in a position where you had to ask for help from someone like him.”
Emma reached across the table and took her sister’s hand.
“Sophie, you gave me a reason to be brave. You gave me a reason to walk into Luca’s office and demand something I didn’t think I deserved. You gave me a reason to stay when I was terrified. So don’t apologize. Just stay. Let me take care of you for once.”
Sophie started crying.
They sat there, hands linked, until Luca appeared in the doorway.
He took one look at them and started to retreat.
“Wait,” Sophie said.
Luca stopped.
Sophie stood. Walked over to him. And without warning, hugged him hard enough that Luca actually looked startled.
“Thank you,” Sophie whispered.
Luca’s expression softened in a way Emma had only ever seen him look at her.
“You’re welcome,” he said quietly.
When Sophie pulled back, she looked between them.
“You two are disgustingly in love.”
Emma laughed.
Luca just smiled.
That night, after Sophie had gone to bed, Emma and Luca sat on the balcony overlooking the garden.
“She likes you,” Emma said.
“Good.”
“She also thinks you’re terrifying.”
“Also good.”
Emma leaned into him. “How is this my life?”
“You walked into my office six months ago and refused to be intimidated. This is the natural consequence.”
“Natural. Right.”
Luca’s arm tightened around her. “I meant what I said. She can stay as long as she needs.”
“I know.”
“And when she’s ready to leave, we’ll make sure she has everything she needs. Job. Apartment. Protection. All of it.”
Emma turned to look at him. “Why?”
“Because she’s your sister. And because I know what it’s like to be afraid and alone. If I can give her something different, I will.”
Emma kissed him.
They stayed outside until the stars came out.
And Emma, who had spent so many years fighting to survive, finally let herself believe she was allowed to be happy.
Two months later, Teresa threw a party.
“It’s tradition,” she explained when Emma protested. “The Morettis have always celebrated new family members.”
“I’m not technically family yet,” Emma said carefully.
Teresa just smiled.
The party was held in the main ballroom. Two hundred guests. Half the city’s elite. And Emma, standing beside Luca in a dress that made her feel like she could conquer the world.
Sophie was there too, laughing with some of Luca’s younger cousins, looking more relaxed than Emma had seen her in years.
Halfway through the night, Teresa called for silence.
