Epilogue

EPILOGUE

S ofia

T he day had finally come.

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the rolling hills outside. The courtyard of the old villa was adorned with fresh white roses and olive branches, the scent of jasmine mingling with the warm summer air. I could hear the soft murmurs of guests arriving outside, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, but inside, in my private bridal suite, everything was completely still.

I stood in front of the mirror, gazing at my reflection. The girl looking back at me wasn't the same one from a few months ago. She'd been na?ve, sheltered by a world that pretended everything could be simple. Now, everything felt heavier—like the weight of what had happened had settled deep into my bones and refused to let go.

This was a different world now, but it was my world.

Even though it had been several months since Raffaele's death, that wasn't the end of it. The balance of power, the alliances—it was like the whole criminal underworld was holding its breath, waiting for the next move. Senator Ricci resigned a short while after the fact, his name synonymous with corruption. His career was finished. Senator Bianchi, the woman who had been kidnapped by Raffaele and his men, had managed to escape and now she was using her voice to push for stricter laws against organized crime, like she was trying to make sure what happened to her never happened to anyone else. And Massimo… well, he had his own battles to fight now. Raffaele's death left a void, and everyone knew it wouldn't stay empty for long. Someone would want to fill that space, and I could feel the tension building, like we were all standing on the edge of something dangerous.

Together, though, we would be prepared to rule that world side by side.

I looked into my own eyes, searching for the girl I used to be, but she wasn't there anymore. The chaos of these past few months had shaped me into the woman I was now and there was no going back.

And today, I was getting married to the love of my life, to the man that was not only my dad's best friend, but my king.

I couldn't wait.

My dress, a soft, elegant gown of lace and silk, clung to my figure in all the right places. The delicate off-the-shoulder sleeves framed my collarbones, and a soft blue ribbon cinched at my waist, a nod to the tradition of ‘something blue.' My hair, swept up in an intricate bun, was crowned with a delicate veil that cascaded down my back, blending with the train of my gown. I felt like a princess from a fairytale, but there was a tight knot in my stomach, where nerves were twisting like vines.

I was about to marry Massimo Sartori—the most powerful man in Italy—and nothing about my life would ever be the same.

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in," I called softly.

The door creaked open, and my father stepped inside. He looked handsome in his dark suit, the silver in his hair catching the light. His expression was a mix of pride and worry as he approached me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"You look beautiful, Sofia," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

"Thank you, Papa." I smiled, but he didn't return it immediately. Instead, he came closer, his brow furrowing slightly.

He reached out, gently taking my hands in his. "Are you sure about this, Sofia?" he asked quietly, searching my eyes. "Are you sure this is what you really want?"

I squeezed his hands, my heart swelling with love for this man who had raised me, protected me, and taught me everything about being strong and standing up for myself.

"Yes, Papa," I replied with conviction. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I love Massimo, and he loves me. I'm where I'm meant to be."

He sighed deeply, his shoulders relaxing just a little, and a small, tentative smile formed on his lips. "I just… I want you to be happy, Sofia," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "That's all I've ever wanted."

I leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I know, Papa," I whispered. "And I am. I promise you, I am."

He nodded slowly, a tear escaping his eye as he pulled me into a tight hug. "You're my little girl," he whispered. "No matter what, you'll always be my little girl."

"I know," I murmured, hugging him back tightly. "And I'm so grateful for everything you've done for me. But today… I'm starting a new chapter. With Massimo."

He pulled back, his hands still on my shoulders. "Then let's do this," he said, his voice stronger now. "Let's get you married."

T he ceremony took place in the courtyard of the villa, surrounded by lush gardens and tall cypress trees. The Tuscan sun warmed our guests, who sat on elegantly decorated chairs draped with ivory linens. A string quartet played a soft melody, the sound carrying gently through the air.

When it was time, my father took my arm, and we stepped out together onto the cobblestone path that led to the altar. The crowd turned, their faces beaming with smiles as they watched us approach. Alessia waved in my direction, and I smiled back at her. My heart pounded in my chest, but when I saw Massimo standing at the altar, all my nerves melted away.

I only saw him.

He looked devastatingly handsome in his tailored suit, his hazel eyes locked onto mine, sparkling with a mix of possessiveness and sheer adoration. I could feel his love from across the courtyard, a love that had grown into something deeper, something unbreakable.

As we reached the altar, my father leaned close, his voice barely a whisper. "You've got this, Sofia," he murmured, then turned to Massimo, his expression serious. "Take care of her, Massimo. She's everything to me."

Massimo nodded, his gaze never leaving mine. "With my life," he replied.

The ceremony began, and the priest spoke the traditional vows, his voice calm and soothing. I barely heard the words; all I could see was Massimo—his strong jaw, his broad shoulders, the way his eyes softened whenever they met mine.

When it was my turn, I looked up into his eyes, and everything else faded away. "I, Sofia De Luca, take you, Massimo Sartori, to be my husband," I said, my voice steady, my heart full. "To love, honor, cherish, and obey, from this day forward."

Massimo's voice was deep and certain as he repeated the vows, his hand squeezing mine. "I, Massimo Sartori, take you, Sofia De Luca, to be my wife. To protect, honor, and cherish, for all the days of my life."

The priest smiled and announced, "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Massimo didn't hesitate. He pulled me close, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was passionate and full of promise. The crowd erupted in applause, but all I could hear was the beating of my heart, and all I could feel was the warmth of his lips on mine.

As he pulled back, he whispered against my lips, "You're mine now, Mrs. Sartori."

I smiled, my heart swelling with joy. "And you're mine, Mr. Sartori."

The applause around us grew louder, and I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. I held onto Massimo's—my husband's—hand tightly. I glanced out at the guests, at my father's smiling face, his eyes glistening with tears. For the first time, I saw a sense of peace there, a quiet acceptance that warmed my heart.

Everything was exactly as it should be.

The sun dipped lower, casting a golden glow over everything, and in that moment, I knew that this was just the beginning of our forever.