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Chapter 5

作者: candy
Luca left the eagle and the key on the table.

That afternoon, his mother called and asked me to dinner at the family estate.

“Luca says you want to spend some time in Sicily. You have to come over for dinner before you go.”

She'd stayed with me all night when my adoptive mother died. I agreed to come. I wanted to say goodbye in person.

Paolo parked outside to wait for me.

At our monthly family dinners, I always sat on Luca's right. Today, Sera was in my chair, with the silver napkin ring I'd used for six years in front of her.

His mother had given it to me. My name was engraved on it.

A maid was about to pull out a chair at the far end of the table when Luca got up and came over.

He handed her my coat and felt my hand.

“Still cold. The soup will be out in a minute.”

He led me to the empty seat and leaned down.

“Sera needs to go over the guest list for the sit-down. It's easier with her sitting there. Sit down. I'll come join you in a minute.”

I sat.

He seemed relieved. He pulled up the chair beside mine and rested my injured hand on the folded napkin.

“Don't touch anything hot.”

Sera called him from the other end of the table. He patted my shoulder and went back.

When the maid brought my soup, I asked her to cut my bread into smaller pieces.

By the time Luca looked up, I'd picked up the spoon with my left hand.

He smiled at me, then returned to the list Sera had handed him.

I used to call his name whenever my glass was empty, whenever I dropped a fork, even when I didn't want the peas on my plate.

He could be deep in conversation and still reach over without looking to swap his plate for mine.

This time, I pushed the peas aside and slowly finished my soup.

His mother asked about the house in Sicily. Sera answered.

“The garden's done. They've even replaced her favorite wicker chair. Luca had them send her pictures of the dishes in the kitchen. He wanted to make sure she'd be comfortable.”

“You've been there?”

“Last month. I was nearby on business, and Luca asked me to check on it. The guest room wasn't made up, so I spent one night in the master bedroom.”

She turned to him, as though she'd just remembered something unimportant.

“I had the housekeeper put that wooden box from the nightstand in the cupboard. I didn't want it getting damaged while they cleaned.”

I set down my spoon.

It was my adoptive mother's jewelry box. There was nothing valuable inside. Just two pairs of old earrings and a photograph of her when she was young.

Once the house was furnished, I'd put it beside the bed and sent Luca a photo.

I'd wanted Mom to see where I was going to live.

Luca closed the guest list.

“She stayed one night. I wasn't there.”

“I know.”

He studied me for a moment, then picked up his phone.

“I'll have them change all the bedding. Send me the color you want.”

“There's no need.”

The crease between his brows eased.

“Good. You picked out what's there now, anyway.”

After dinner, his mother took my hand and asked if I'd be making gingerbread again that Christmas.

For six years, I'd come over a day early to make the dough. Luca always complained it was too sweet, then stole the first piece out of the oven and winced when it burned his mouth.

Sera had left the table. I picked up my napkin ring from her place and handed it to his mother.

“Don't count on me this year.”

She looked down at the silver ring. Her smile faded.

“You'll be away that long?”

“I don't know yet.”

She was about to ask something else when Luca came over with my coat.

“If she wants a break, let her have one. We can go visit.”

He took the napkin ring and put it back at my usual place.

“She's coming back. Why put it away?”

I didn't reach for it again.

At the door, he helped me into my coat and fastened each button.

“Rosa's, tomorrow at three. I've sent her the wedding dresses you saved.”

I looked up.

Every time we passed that shop, he promised he'd take me inside once things settled down.

“What about the confession?”

His fingers paused on the last button.

“I'll bring it tomorrow and destroy it in front of you. You won't have to sign it.”

I stood still, watching him.

“You know I'm asking about more than a few sheets of paper.”

“I know. Let Anthony speak to the elders. I'll deal with Sera.”

This time, he'd brought up her name first.

“Tomorrow at three. Before anything else, I want you to explain all of this.”

He bent his head and straightened my collar.

“All right. We'll talk.”

He opened the car door, and I got in.
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