Chapter 20 - A House Full of Song
Two years later.
The afternoon sun poured warmly through the grand parlor of the Vale mansion.
The dark,
oppressive shadows of the past were completely gone,
replaced by vibrant art,
fresh flowers,
and comfortable furniture designed for living.
The front doors were unlocked,
and the estate gates stood open to the community.
In the center of the parlor,
near the grand ebony piano,
sat Dominic Vale.
He wore a comfortable charcoal sweater,
his dark hair slightly longer,
his face relaxed and filled with a peace he had never thought possible.
On his lap sat a beautiful fourteen-month-old girl with thick dark curls,
bright brown eyes,
and a laugh that could light up the darkest night.
Her name was Isabella.
Ruby stood near the piano,
wearing a vibrant yellow dress that hugged her lush curves,
looking radiant,
healthy,
and deeply content.
She hit a soft chord on the piano keys,
then looked over at her husband and daughter.
"Alright,
my loves,
" Ruby said with a warm smile.
"Time for our afternoon practice."
Little Isabella clapped her tiny hands together,
letting out a squeal of pure delight.
"Song! Song!" the little girl babbled happily.
Dominic chuckled,
kissing the top of his daughter's head before looking up at his wife.
"You heard the boss,
Ruby,
" Dominic said softly,
his eyes filled with deep,
unconditional love.
"She wants her song."
Ruby began to sing a sweet,
melodious lullaby that filled the high ceilings of the mansion,
her voice carrying through three hallways,
one marble staircase,
and out into the sunny gardens where Marcus and the guards were laughing together.
Dominic leaned back against the plush armchair,
listening to his wife's powerful voice,
his daughter's sweet giggles joining in.
He remembered the years he had spent alone in this massive house,
trapped in a self-imposed prison of silence,
afraid of the world outside.
He looked at Ruby,
the plus-size maid who had walked into his life with a feather duster,
a loud voice,
and an unyielding heart.
She had broken his silence,
healed his soul,
and taught him how to truly live.
Dominic closed his eyes,
smiling gently as the warm music surrounded him.
He was no longer afraid of the quiet,
May you like
because he knew that as long as Ruby was by his side,
his home would never be silent again.
