Every year on the anniversary of the night they first met, Roman and Sadi closed the Starlight Diner to the public for a private family evening.

It was a cold, beautiful autumn night. The famous 'E' in the neon sign hummed softly, casting its iconic bright blue glow onto the quiet Queens street.

Inside, sitting at booth 4—the very booth where a desperate law student had once sat across from a feared mob boss—sat Roman, Sadi, three-year-old Stella, and one-year-old Leo.

The diner was warm, filled with the delicious aroma of sizzling burgers, fresh fries, and hot coffee.

Stella sat beside her mother, happily eating a small bowl of vanilla ice cream, while little Leo sat in a high chair beside Roman, chewing on a soft biscuit.

Roman stood by the counter, holding a silver coffee pot. He walked over to booth 4, wearing a broad, radiant smile, and carefully poured fresh steaming coffee into two ceramic mugs.

"Keep the cups full, Mr. Moretti," Sadi teased softly, using the exact same words she had spoken years ago, her dark eyes sparkling with affection. "Or you're fired."

Roman laughed—a deep, booming sound that filled the warm diner with pure happiness. He set the pot down and slid into the booth beside her, wrapping his heavy arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight against his side.

He looked down at his brilliant wife, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Best cup of coffee I ever had," Roman whispered softly, looking out the window at the bright blue lights of the Starlight sign.

Sadi rested her head against his broad chest, listening to the steady, strong thud of his heart—the heart of a man who had abandoned the darkness to build a kingdom of love.