Chapter 19 - A Simple Life Worth Living
That evening, the family gathered in the spacious kitchen of the mansion to make homemade pizzas from scratch.
Sophia stood on a sturdy wooden step stool, covered in white flour from head to toe, proudly flattening her small circle of dough.
Enzo stood beside her, covered in flour himself, carefully helping her spread tomato sauce across her mini pizza shell.
Aunt Marie sat at the island counter, laughing heartily as she poured fresh mozzarella cheese into bowls for them.
Frankie, now serving as the head of corporate security for Vitale Development, walked into the kitchen wearing a relaxed polo shirt.
“Boss, the evening reports are clear,” Frankie reported with a warm smile, stealing a piece of pepperoni from the counter.
“Everything is quiet across the city.”
“Stop calling me boss, Frankie,” Enzo chuckled, shaking his head as he wiped flour off Sophia’s nose. “I’m a baker now.”
“You’re a terrible baker, Lorenzo,” Elena teased from the sink, throwing a small pinch of flour at his chest.
Enzo gasped in mock shock, grabbing a handful of flour and lightly dusting Elena’s blonde hair, causing Sophia to shriek with delight.
The kitchen filled with joyful laughter, warm smells of baking bread, and the unconditional love of a family healed from tragedy.
They sat down together at the long oak dining table, sharing their meal as the stars came out over the peaceful Illinois sky.
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For the first time in his life, Lorenzo Vitale wasn't looking over his shoulder, waiting for an enemy in the dark.
He was looking forward to tomorrow.
