Chapter 7 - The Transformation of the East Wing
By 8:00 AM the following morning, golden sunlight poured through the panoramic windows of the Calvetti estate.
The aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, crispy bacon, and warm buttermilk pancakes drifted from the grand kitchen.
Sitting around the expansive marble dining table were all six children, dressed in soft, brand-new cashmere sweaters, denim jeans, and warm wool socks. Lily was laughing joyfully as she poured maple syrup over her stack of waffles, while Tommy was busy showing Marcus a new toy wooden train set.
Olivia sat at the head of the table, wearing a cozy cream knit sweater, her face glowing with peaceful, radiant relief.
The double doors of the dining hall swung open.
Dante walked in, wearing a comfortable charcoal cashmere sweater and tailored trousers, looking rested, uninjured, and completely at ease.
When Tommy saw Dante enter, the five-year-old boy immediately dropped his wooden train, scrambled down from his high-backed chair, and sprinted across the dining room on little feet.
"Dante!" Tommy cheered, wrapping his small arms around Dante’s knees.
Dante knelt on the marble floor without hesitation, scooping Tommy into his strong arms and lifting the little boy high into the air. A rich, genuine laugh escaped Dante’s chest—a sound Mrs. Gable had not heard in that mansion in twenty years.
"Good morning, little champion," Dante smiled, setting Tommy gently on his hip as he walked to the table.
Lily looked up from her plate, her hazel eyes sparkling with excitement. "Dante! Mrs. Gable said we each get our own bedroom with giant windows and big fluffy beds! Is that true?"
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"It’s true, Lily," Dante said softly, pulling out the chair beside Olivia and sitting down. "And nobody is ever going to take them away from you."
Olivia looked at Dante, her eyes glistening with tears of deep gratitude. Underneath the table, Dante reached out, his warm, strong fingers intertwining securely with hers.
