Chapter 12 - THE ROOTS WE GROW
They spent the next hour side by side, their hands covered in dark, rich soil.
They found a larger, sturdy ceramic planter in the back of the greenhouse. Luca lifted it, Leo poured the base layer of pebbles for drainage, and Grace carefully settled the blue hydrangea into its new home. Together, they packed the fresh soil around its roots, ensuring it stood tall and secure.
When they were finished, Leo ran to the hose to fill a small watering can, his tears completely forgotten, replaced by the sheer joy of having saved his flower.
Luca and Grace stood up, dusting off their knees.
Luca reached over and gently brushed a smudge of dirt from Grace’s cheek. The touch of his thumb against her skin was electric, sending a warm shiver down her spine.
“Thank you,” Luca said quietly, his voice a low rumble in the humid air.
“For helping with the plant?” Grace asked, looking up into his dark eyes.
“For coming back,” Luca corrected. He stepped closer. “When Vanessa took over this house, everything grew cold. I locked myself away, and I let Leo live in a museum rather than a home. But when you were here… even when you were just carrying boxes or organizing rooms, the house felt alive again.”
Grace swallowed, her heart fluttering. “I was just doing my job, Luca.”
“No, you weren't,” he said fiercely, his hand moving to gently cup her jaw. “You protected my son. You saved my life. And you showed me that I don’t have to live in the past anymore.”
Grace looked at him, seeing the vulnerability he hid from the rest of the world. She didn't see the mafia boss, or the untouchable billionaire. She just saw Luca. A man who loved deeply and fought fiercely for the people he cared about.
“I don't belong in your world, Luca,” Grace whispered, though she leaned slightly into his touch. “I’m a teacher. I take care of my dad.”
“I don't want you in my world, Grace,” Luca said softly, a smile touching the corners of his mouth. “I want us to build a new one. Together. We take it as slow as you want. You teach. You take care of your dad. And when you have time… you let me take care of you.”
Before Grace could answer, Leo came running back with the watering can, splashing water onto Luca’s expensive leather shoes.
“I did it! I watered it!” Leo cheered, beaming proudly.
Luca laughed, a rich, genuine sound that echoed through the glass walls of the greenhouse. He scooped Leo up with one arm, spinning him around before setting him on his hip.
Luca looked at Grace, his eyes shining with happiness. He held out his free hand to her.
Grace looked at his hand, large, warm, and steady. She thought of the fear she had lived with for fourteen months, the threats, the coldness of the estate. All of it was gone, washed away by the truth and the warmth of the man standing in front of her.
She didn't hesitate anymore.
Grace reached out and placed her hand in his, lacing her fingers securely through his. Luca’s grip was firm, grounding her, pulling her gently toward his side.
The three of them stood in the center of the warm, sunlit greenhouse, surrounded by things that were growing, things that had survived the dark and found the light again.
The pot had broken. The past was shattered.
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But as Grace leaned her head against Luca’s shoulder and smiled at Leo, she knew they had planted something entirely new.
And its roots were finally secure.
