CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT – FAMILY LEGACY

Luca reached out, taking her hand in his. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. But I'm selfishly glad it led you here." Rebecca smiled, squeezing his hand. "Me too." As night fell, they moved inside to the library where their relationship had first blossomed. Luca lit a fire in the grand fireplace, and they curled up together on a plush sofa. "I have something to show you," Luca said, reaching for a leather-bound book on a nearby table. Rebecca leaned in curiously as he opened it, revealing it to be a photo album. The first picture showed a young boy with curly dark hair, grinning widely at the camera. "Is that you?" Rebecca asked, delighted. Luca nodded, a hint of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. "My fifth birthday. My mother insisted on documenting everything." They flipped through the album together, Luca sharing stories behind each photo. There were pictures of family vacations, school events, and candid moments of everyday life. "You looked so happy," Rebecca observed,