That evening, Aria arrived at the Ricci estate.
She immediately noticed something was different.
The entire garden was decorated with warm lights.
Flowers covered the pathways.
A long table had been arranged beneath the trees.
Marco stood at the center.
Noah was beside him.
And behind them were dozens of familiar faces.
Aria stopped walking.
"What is this?"
Marco smiled.
"Your grandfather is throwing a party."
"For what?"
Marco opened his arms.
"For you."
Aria laughed.
"Grandfather, you could have warned me."
"Then it wouldn't be a surprise."
She looked around.
Rafael came up behind her.
"Happy six months."
Aria smiled.
Six months since the old empire had fallen.
Six months since they had chosen a different life.
Six months since the Moretti name had become something new.
Marco raised his glass.
"To Aria."
Everyone lifted theirs.
"To the woman who inherited an empire…"
He smiled proudly.
"…and had the courage to change it."
