Chapter 8 - The Chef Who Built Her Own EmpireClara opened a restaurant.
Then another.
Then a culinary school for women who had been overlooked like she had.
Damian never invested without asking.
He never made decisions for her.
He learned.
She learned too.
They were partners.
Not employer and employee.
Not mafia boss and chef.
Husband and wife.
Parents.
Friends.
One evening, Damian arrived home late.
Clara was waiting.
“You're late.”
“I know.”
“Did you eat?”
“No.”
She sighed.
“I knew it.”
She put a plate in front of him.
He smiled.
“Still bossy.”
“Still alive.”
He ate.
Lily entered.
“Daddy.”
“Yes?”
“Can we adopt a dog?”
“No.”
Clara smiled.
“Yes.”
Damian stared.
“You agreed with her.”
“Of course.”
The next day, they adopted a dog.
Damian claimed he hated it.
Three weeks later, Clara found him sleeping on the sofa with the dog curled against his chest.
She took a photograph.
He woke.
“You didn't.”
“I did.”
“Delete it.”
“No.”
He smiled.
May you like
“Keep it.”
She kissed him.
