Chapter 26 - THE FAMILY TABLE
By the time Lena turned eighteen, our little family had grown.
Dinner became louder.
Cousins arrived.
Friends came over.
The old house no longer felt like a fortress.
It felt like a home filled beyond capacity.
At dinner, Lena stood.
“I want to say something.”
Everyone quieted.
“I used to think family meant blood.”
She looked at Lorenzo.
“Then I thought it meant protection.”
Then she looked at me.
“Now I think family means choice.”
I felt tears rise.
“You chose me.”
She smiled.
“You chose me first.”
Lorenzo reached for both our hands.
The room fell quiet.
For a man who had once ruled through fear, he looked completely at peace.
Lena continued.
“I don't care what our family used to be.”
She looked around the table.
“I care what we choose to be now.”
Everyone raised their glasses.
“To now.”
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I laughed through my tears.
It was the first time the Moretti name had felt like something beautiful.
