Chapter 13 - Years of Peace
The years passed like a quiet, steady river. Bella Roma Bakery had expanded, taking over the vacant storefront next door to add a small cafe with wrought-iron tables and espresso machines. Elena’s hair now held streaks of silver, but she carried herself with a confident, effortless grace. She was no longer the terrified woman bleeding in an alley; she was a respected business owner and a pillar of the north side community.
Sophie had grown into a bright, fiercely intelligent high school senior. She possessed her mother’s resilience but had adopted a quiet, unwavering confidence that reminded Elena strikingly of the man who had saved them.
Vincent, too, had changed. The silver in his hair had turned to a distinguished white. While he still commanded the syndicate, the violent edge of his youth had begun to dull, replaced by a preference for negotiation and legitimate investments. He still kept his distance, but he never stopped watching over them. Marco’s black Lincoln remained a familiar, comforting sight on the street corner.
