Two days later...
The Moretti Villa bloomed with life.
Golden Tuscan sunlight poured across the sprawling estate, bathing the vineyards in a warm glow. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of blooming roses, freshly baked bread, basil, and jasmine through the gardens.
The entire family had gathered for lunch.
Laughter echoed across the lawns.
Children chased one another between the olive trees.
The older generation occupied the shaded veranda, debating medicine, politics, and family stories with equal enthusiasm.
Inside the kitchen, chefs hurried between marble counters under Lavanya's supervision, preparing an unusual feast—a beautiful fusion of Italian delicacies and South Indian favorites.
For the first time in years...
The villa felt completely alive.
Damiano stood alone near one of the ancient cypress trees overlooking the lawn.
He had arrived much earlier than everyone else.
Not because he was eager for lunch.
Because he was waiting.
Every few minutes...
His eyes drifted toward the main entrance.
He told himself it was coincidence.
It wasn't.
At exactly noon...
A white taxi rolled through the grand iron gates.
Damiano's heartbeat quickened.
The car came to a gentle stop.
The driver stepped out first.
Then...
She emerged.
Alankrita.
She wore a sunflower-yellow handwoven cotton saree with a delicate green border. It wasn't expensive.
It didn't need to be.
The sunlight itself seemed to cling to the soft fabric, making her glow.
The saree embraced her graceful, curvy figure with quiet elegance, every pleat arranged neatly despite carrying a child.
A tiny maroon bindi rested between her brows.
Simple gold bangles chimed softly as she adjusted the pallu over her shoulder.
In her arms...
Raghuveer looked as adorable as ever.
He wore a tiny cream-colored cotton shirt tucked into little khaki shorts.
His tiny sandals kept slipping off his feet, making him giggle every time Alankrita patiently put them back on.
The sight brought an unconscious smile to Damiano's lips.
The front doors flew open.
"Talli!"
Sumitra hurried down the steps before anyone else.
"You finally came."
She embraced Alankrita warmly.
"You made us wait."
Alankrita laughed softly.
"I'm sorry, Amma."
"He refused to wear his shoes."
She pointed at Raghuveer.
The little boy hid behind her shoulder as though he understood the accusation.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"So the little prince delayed the entire lunch?"
Krishnamurthy teased.
Raghuveer blinked innocently.
Then smiled.
That smile immediately won every heart present.
Lavanya stepped forward next.
She gently touched Alankrita's cheek.
"I'm so happy you came."
"Thank you, ma'am."
Lavanya frowned dramatically.
"What did we agree yesterday?"
Alankrita smiled shyly.
"No 'ma'am.'"
"Good."
Lavanya nodded approvingly.
"Call me Lavanya Amma."
The young woman hesitated only for a second before smiling.
"Yes..."
"Lavanya Amma."
The older woman's eyes softened instantly.
"There..."
"That sounds much better."
One by one...
The entire family welcomed her.
No awkwardness.
No hesitation.
Only warmth.
Only affection.
Watching from a distance...
Damiano felt something unfamiliar tighten inside his chest.
She belonged here so naturally.
His family had accepted her without question.
As though she had always been one of them.
After several minutes of greetings...
Alankrita carefully lowered Raghuveer onto the soft green lawn.
"There..."
She smiled.
"Go play."
The little boy looked around excitedly.
Grass.
Flowers.
Butterflies.
So many wonderful discoveries.
With an excited squeal...
He dropped onto his tiny hands and knees.
And began crawling across the lawn at astonishing speed.
"Oh!"
Chloe laughed.
"There goes our explorer."
Everyone watched him affectionately.
He crawled past flower beds.
Past garden chairs.
Past laughing relatives.
Completely focused on his latest adventure.
Damiano saw him heading straight toward the stone pathway.
Without thinking...
He quietly walked forward.
Raghuveer continued crawling.
Then...
Two large polished leather shoes appeared directly before him.
The tiny boy stopped abruptly.
He blinked.
Slowly...
Very slowly...
His curious little head tilted upward.
Higher.
Higher.
Higher.
Until he finally reached the owner's face.
His tiny mouth formed a perfect little "O."
The giant.
The same giant he had seen at the conference.
Damiano couldn't help smiling.
He slowly crouched down until they were almost at eye level.
"Hello..."
he whispered.
Raghuveer continued staring.
His enormous brown eyes were filled not with fear...
But curiosity.
For several silent seconds...
Neither of them moved.
Then...
Damiano extended one finger.
Raghuveer reached out.
Tiny fingers wrapped around the much larger one.
The contrast made Damiano's heart ache.
"So small..."
he murmured.
"So trusting."
Carefully...
As though handling the world's most precious treasure...
He slipped one hand beneath Raghuveer's little arms and the other beneath his tiny legs.
Then gently lifted him.
The boy didn't cry.
Didn't struggle.
Instead...
He simply looked into Damiano's face with wide-eyed fascination.
His tiny hand immediately reached for the buttons on Damiano's linen shirt.
The adults nearby smiled.
Across the lawn...
Alankrita turned.
The moment she realized someone had picked up Raghuveer...
Her mother's instinct reacted before her mind could.
"Raghu,"
She took two hurried steps forward.
But before she could reach them...
A familiar hand gently caught her wrist.
"Talli."
Sumitra smiled knowingly.
"Let him be."
"But,"
"He's fine."
She glanced toward Damiano.
"He's not a monster."
A playful smile crossed her lips.
"He can take care of one little prince for five minutes."
The family chuckled.
Alankrita smiled nervously.
"I know..."
"But..."
She looked back again.
Every protective instinct inside her urged her to go to her son.
Yet...
Seeing Raghuveer perfectly calm in Damiano's arms...
She reluctantly stopped.
Sumitra gently linked their arms together.
"Come."
"You've spent every waking minute taking care of him."
"Now let someone else spoil him for a little while."
With obvious reluctance...
Alankrita allowed herself to be led toward the veranda.
Even then...
She kept looking back every few seconds.
Meanwhile...
Damiano remained standing beneath the cypress tree.
Completely unaware that the world around him had faded away.
There was only him...
And the tiny boy in his arms.
Raghuveer studied his face seriously.
Then...
Without warning...
He reached out and touched Damiano's beard.
His tiny fingers rubbed curiously against the rough stubble.
Damiano laughed softly.
"So that's interesting, hmm?"
Raghuveer giggled.
The sweet sound seemed to echo straight into Damiano's heart.
Something inside him melted.
He had held expensive trophies.
Rare ingredients.
Priceless heirlooms.
None of them had ever felt as precious as this little boy.
He looked at Raghuveer's face.
Those bright eyes.
Those soft curls.
Those chubby cheeks that looked so much like Alankrita's.
An overwhelming tenderness rose inside him.
Before he even realised what he was doing...
He leaned forward.
And placed the gentlest kiss upon Raghuveer's plump cheek.
A tiny kiss.
Filled with unexpected affection.
Raghuveer blinked.
Then burst into delighted laughter.
The sound drew Alankrita's attention immediately.
She turned instinctively.
And froze.
Across the lawn...
She saw Damiano holding her son with astonishing gentleness.
She saw him smiling—a smile unlike the arrogant celebrity chef she had once interviewed.
And then...
She saw him kiss Raghuveer's cheek as though the little boy were someone infinitely precious.
Her breath caught.
Her heart forgot its rhythm.
The man who had shattered her with cruel words...
Was now cradling her miracle with a tenderness that didn't seem forced.
It seemed...
Natural.
Damiano slowly lifted his eyes.
Across the sunlit garden...
Their gazes met.
This time...
There was no anger.
No accusations.
No pride.
Only silence.
A silence filled with questions...
With regret...
And with emotions neither of them yet understood.