The Mafia Boss's Secret Lover (by Z·Nyra) novel Chapter 15

**Broken Skies Heal**
*by George Orwell*
**Chapter 15**

Half a year had slipped by, and at last, the studio was complete. Above the entrance, “Aria Cavallo Metalworks” graced the door in a graceful script, each letter a testament to her labor, forged from steel she had painstakingly hammered into shape. The studio nestled within the vibrant Arts District, positioned far enough from the old warehouse to feel like a fresh start, yet close enough to evoke memories of her humble beginnings.

The opening was an intimate affair—just Gabriel, her Papa (who had flown in with a suitcase brimming with “just in case” papers), and a handful of artists Aria had connected with in the neighborhood. There were no press releases, no society pages to document the occasion. It was simply a gathering of those who valued craftsmanship over connections, a celebration of art without the glitz.

Dominic arrived, holding a bouquet of flowers that were anything but roses. “Irises,” he explained, a hint of pride in his voice. “They symbolize ‘I trust you.’”

Aria raised an eyebrow, a playful smile dancing on her lips. “Since when do you speak the language of flowers?”

“Since I decided to make an effort to express myself without assuming you’d decipher my intentions for me.” He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss on her cheek, the familiar scent of aftershave mingling with an aura of sincerity that enveloped her.

The gallery brimmed with her latest creations—kitchen knives with handles that undulated like ocean waves, garden tools that resembled art pieces, and a fountain designed for a public park commission. There was nothing that could inflict harm; every piece was a celebration of creation, a testament to what could be built.

Papa observed her as she guided guests through the studio, his eyes gleaming with an emotion that was both pride and something deeper. “You did well, piccola,” he said, his voice thick with affection.

“You did better,” she replied, warmth radiating from her. “You taught me how to vanish when necessary. Dominic taught me how to return.”

“He taught you both. I merely provided the tools.” He reached into his pocket and handed her an envelope. “Insurance. Just in case.”

Inside, she found papers—new identity, new accounts. An exit strategy. “I don’t need these anymore,” she stated firmly, her resolve unwavering.

“Everyone needs a way out, Aria. Even in happiness. Especially in happiness.” His words hung in the air, heavy with experience.

She tucked the papers away, not because she intended to use them, but because true freedom meant having choices, options that lay before her like an open road.

As the evening wore on and the last of the guests departed, she and Dominic found themselves alone in the studio, surrounded by her creations. He ran his fingers over a copper bowl she had meticulously hammered into form. “This is stunning.”

“It’s just a bowl,” she replied, a hint of modesty in her tone.

“It’s never just anything when you’re the one who makes it,” he countered, his gaze steady on her. “That’s what took me so long to realize. You don’t merely create objects. You breathe meaning into them.”

“I learned that by watching you. All those years, you didn’t just run a family business. You crafted an empire. You gave people a sense of purpose.”

“I gave them orders. There’s a distinction,” he replied, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.

“Not to them,” she asserted, taking his hand and pressing it against the eagle tattoo that adorned his chest. “This means something. It always has.”

He pulled her closer, his voice low and earnest. “Tell me what you envision for next year. For five years. For ten.”

“I want to teach,” she said, her eyes bright with passion. “I want to reach young women who think their only options are what men offer them. I want to show them that steel doesn’t have to be a weapon. It can be a voice.”

“You already have students,” he reminded her, a smile breaking through. “Gabriel’s niece just started metalworking classes last month. She says she wants to be like you.”

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