Chapter 9 - The Bakery Became the One Place the Duca Name No Longer Meant Fear
Six months later, everything changed.
Sophia went to trial.
The evidence from the ledger exposed years of corruption.
Victor testified.
Roman testified.
Lily testified.
And I did too.
The Duca empire disappeared.
Roman sold the legitimate businesses and used the money to compensate victims.
Then he came back to Honey & Rye.
He wasn't a Mafia boss anymore.
He was simply Roman.
He still couldn't bake.
He burned everything.
His first attempt at cinnamon rolls looked like rocks.
Lily laughed until she cried.
“You're terrible.”
Roman looked at me.
“Your aunt said I had potential.”
“She lied.”
We laughed.
My bakery expanded.
Lily started college.
Victor opened a security company.
And Roman became my business partner.
Sometimes customers still recognized him.
Sometimes people whispered.
But Roman didn't care.
He had finally chosen a different life.
One morning, he placed a small box on the counter.
I stared at it.
“What is that?”
“Open it.”
Inside was the brass key.
The same key Lily had brought me.
I looked at him.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Because it's the reason we met.”
I smiled.
“No. Flour is the reason we met.”
He laughed.
“Fair.”
Then he took my hand.
“I want to give you something that isn't a secret.”
He pulled out a ring.
I stared at it.
“Roman.”
“I know you hate being pressured.”
“I do.”
“So I'm not asking you to answer today.”
He paused.
“I just want you to know I'm choosing you.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“I choose you too.”
He smiled.
Then Lily burst through the door.
“Did she say yes?”
I laughed.
“You were listening?”
“Obviously.”
Roman looked horrified.
May you like
“You ruined the moment.”
“You're welcome.”
