Chapter 24 Crowns and Raises
Isabella
Sofia’s school bag was practically bursting with crayons, notebooks, and the little treasures she insisted on taking with her. I watched her from the doorway, heart both heavy and proud, as she adjusted her backpack and tried to squeeze in one last hug before heading out the door.
“Have a great day, my princess,” I whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
“Queen Mommy, don’t forget to smile!” she called, waving enthusiastically as she ran down the hallway, Easter to be dropped off by her daddy.
I chuckled softly, shaking my head at her energy. And then I turned back to her room, my chest tightening. Adriano had gone overboard. Overboard was an understatement. The walls were painted in soft shades of pink and lavender, glittering subtly in the morning sun. A massive queen-size princess bed dominated the room, draped with a canopy and stuffed animals stacked in perfect formation. Toys were everywhere, carefully organized in vibrant baskets and shelves that made the space feel like a miniature kingdom.
I walked slowly around the room, my fingers brushing the edge of her dresser, her desk, the tiny chair he had placed just for her. Every morning, it seemed, there was a new delivery—art supplies, books, puzzles, even tiny furniture pieces that made her space look like a magical playground. I had always tried, as much as I could, to make her life comfortable, to give her stability. But Adriano… he had spoiled her entirely in just one week.
I sighed, a mixture of gratitude and exasperation curling in my chest. He meant well—or at least, he claimed he did—but the meticulousness, the constant attention to every little need, the way he had filled her world with indulgence—it was almost too much. And yet, I couldn’t deny the smile tugging at my lips as I watched the small trinkets and toys, imagining her waking up to discover a new surprise every day.
The drive to the office felt heavier than usual, the car was a loan from Adriano too, written in the contract he had me signed, I kept glancing at the dashboard clock, thinking of Sofia and her little backpack, wondering if she had made new friends yet or if she was nervous. And then there was Adriano. I had avoided thinking about him—trying to focus on work—but his presence lingered in my mind. The way he had transformed Sofia’s room, the way he had inserted himself so effortlessly into our routines… it was intoxicating.
When I arrived, the receptionist smiled and handed me a folder. “Congratulations, Ms. Valentino. It’s all been processed.”
I frowned slightly, flipping it open. Inside was a notice of a raise, significant enough to surprise me. My mind raced. Adriano? Had he arranged this somehow?
I found him in his office a few minutes later, and he looked up from his papers, calm, collected, faint smile on his lips. “You’re early today,” he noted.
I didn’t waste time. “The raise… is this—?” I stopped, then asked directly, “Did you have anything to do with this?”
He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers, eyes soft but calculating. “It’s for our daughter,” he said simply. “Besides, all the employees received the benefits. Consider it… fair, and necessary.”
I blinked, trying to parse the meaning. “For… Sofia?”
He nodded once, casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re here to provide for her, not just me. And she deserves every bit of comfort and security we can give her. Including ensuring that your work is appreciated.”
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, a mixture of embarrassment, gratitude, and a strange irritation. “You could have… I don’t know… told me first,” I muttered.
“And ruin the surprise?” he said, smirking faintly. “Where’s the fun in that?”
I rolled my eyes, but there was no denying the truth of it. Sofia’s happiness had always been the measure of my own, and Adriano had just… amplified it in ways I wasn’t prepared for. His attention, his resources, his ability to see exactly what she needed before she did—it was infuriating, and yet undeniably effective.
The rest of the morning blurred with routine tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to her room, the way Adriano had transformed it, and the small feeling of awe that tugged at me whenever I thought of how seamlessly he had integrated himself into her life. It wasn’t just the toys or the bed or the decorations—it was the care, the precision, the way he made her feel important and safe, loved and protected.
By lunchtime, I had mostly regained composure, though I caught myself smiling at the folder with the notice of the raise. Adriano had done it quietly, efficiently, and yet he had reminded me, without saying a word, that he could—and would—manage both our daughter and me with equal skill if left unchecked.
That evening, when Sofia returned from school, she bounded into the apartment, her backpack slung over one shoulder, face flushed with excitement. “Mommy! Mommy! Guess what?”
I knelt to hug her. “What, sweetheart?”
“I made a new friend! And Uncle Luca cam to pick me up with daddy and told me the funniest joke ever!” She laughed, bouncing on her heels, and my chest swelled. Adriano was behind me, leaning casually against the doorway, observing with that faint, knowing smile.
“Sounds like a great day,” he said softly, voice low but carrying across the room. “And did you enjoy your classroom adventure?”
Sofia nodded vigorously. “Yes! And Daddy says I’m doing great, and Mommy, the lunch you made me? I love it so much! I shared it ,y mew friend!”
she kept rambling in her sweet voice, "I love my room here and I feel like I live in a castle"
I bit my lip, fighting a smile. “Well… castles need queens, don’t they?”
"Yesss....daddyyy!!!" She saw Adriano and threw herself at him, hugging him tightly, and I watched Adriano hold her, gentle and unassuming. I had always known he was capable, powerful, precise—but in moments like this, when he interacted with her, I realized how effortless he could be at weaving love, influence, and stability all at once.
And once again, I felt that quiet, subtle tug—the knowledge that my daughter’s happiness, my own security, and even my heart were slowly being claimed by his presence, one small gesture at a time.