CHAPTER 197
KATYA POV
The door clicked softly behind Nonna as she left, her footsteps fading down the corridor. "Don't stay too long," she had said, wagging a finger at me like I was still a child sneaking sweets before dinner.
"And don't fall asleep in here. Your neck will hurt."
"I won't," I'd promised, even though we both knew there was a good chance I would. Now the cinema room belonged to me.
I sank deeper into the wide leather couch, tucking my legs beneath me, the blanket Nonna had insisted on draping over my lap still warm from her hands.
I felt… comfortable.
The lights were dimmed low, just enough to glow along the walls and ceiling, soft gold against dark panels.
The screen stretched out in front of me, the movie still playing, the sound low but clear. No voices from the rest of the house. No tension hanging in the air. Just quiet.
I let out a slow breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Being alone like this felt like a gift. A rare one.
