Chapter 13: The First Day of School
Autumn arrived with crisp breezes and golden leaves dusting the cobblestone driveway. For the first time in two years, Luca held Lily’s hand as they walked up the steps of St. Jude Academy.
Lily wore her navy school uniform, her backpack bouncing with every step. She looked up at Luca, whose hand firmly wrapped around hers.
"Daddy, look! That's my classroom!" she beamed, pointing to the sunlit second-floor windows.
Other parents stopped and whispered, recognizing the billionaire philanthropist who had miraculously overcome debilitating nerve damage and taken down an international fraud ring. But Luca paid them no mind. His world was concentrated in the small, warm hand resting in his.
"Go make some friends, sweetheart," Luca said, kissing her cheek. "I’ll be right here waiting when the bell rings."
May you like
Lily smiled brightly, running through the open doors with confidence, turning back once to wave with both hands.
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