CHAPTER 14: A New Family Portrait
A year after the day the wedding was stopped in the foyer, the grand mansion underwent a complete transformation. The cold, sterile antique decorations were replaced with warm family photographs, colorful children's art projects taped to the stainless-steel refrigerators, and open garden doors that let in fresh air.
The grand foyer where the drama had begun was now filled with sunlight. The polished marble floor, once the stage of bitter rejection, was covered with a soft, hand-knotted Persian runner where Valentina frequently raced her toy cars.
Julian stood in front of the grand fireplace in the living room, watching an artist put the finishing touches on a new family portrait.
The painting showed the three of them standing together on the coastal beach at sunset—simple, unpretentious, and radiant with genuine happiness.
Marisa walked into the room wearing a simple emerald sundress, her hair flowing freely past her shoulders. She slipped her arm through Julian’s, resting her head against his shoulder.
"It's perfect," she murmured, gazing at the canvas.
"It’s almost perfect," Julian replied with a gentle smile.
May you like
He turned toward her, reaching into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small velvet box.
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