Chapter 14 - The Celebration of the True Lady
News of Roman DeLuca’s engagement to Claire Bennett swept through the city like
a wildfire. High-society matrons who had once sneered at Claire scrambled to
send congratulations. Politicians and business leaders sent towering floral
arrangements of white roses and orchids. Roman rejected them all. Instead, on
New Year’s Eve, Roman hosted the most magnificent gala DeLuca House had ever
seen. There were no corrupt senators. There were no predatory developers. The
guest list was composed entirely of the people who mattered: the estate staff,
their families, loyal security operators, the doctors and nurses who had cared
for Lily, and Lily herself, who sat radiantly at the head table in a stunning
emerald gown, laughing with Chef Alvarez.
When the grand ballroom doors opened, the entire room stood in awe. Claire
walked down the marble staircase on Roman’s arm. She wore a custom-tailored
off-the-shoulder midnight blue velvet gown that hugged every magnificent curve
of her body, adorned with subtle silver embroidery that caught the light like
falling snow. Her copper curls cascaded over her shoulders, her skin glowing
with radiant health, her sapphire ring sparkling brightly. She looked
breathtaking. She did not look like someone who had tried to make herself
smaller. She walked with the poise, grace, and undeniable authority of a queen.
Roman looked at her as they reached the dance floor, his eyes filled with quiet
reverence. "You own this room, Claire," he whispered in her ear as the orchestra
began to play a sweeping waltz. "I only want to own your heart," she whispered
back, resting her hand on his broad shoulder. "You’ve owned that since the day
you walked through my front doors," Roman replied, pulling her close into the
rhythm of the music. As they danced beneath the glowing crystal chandeliers, the
entire room erupted into applause, celebrating the woman who had transformed a
fortress of fear into a home of love.
