Semua Bab Bound By Blood: The Step-Brothers' Temptation: Bab 191 - Bab 195

_Author’s POV_The sky outside Amelie’s window had darkened to deep velvet, and the only light in her room came from the low lamp by the bedside. It cast soft shadows over the books Matteo had stacked neatly by her pillows, and the blanket tucked carefully around her legs. A half-empty glass of water sat on the nightstand. She hadn’t touched it in hours.She was tired. Still healing. But not so tired that she didn’t notice him.The door creaked open like someone had tried to avoid making noise—and failed. She didn’t turn. She didn’t have to.It was obvious he was the one. Luca.She knew the weight of his presence, the way it shifted the air around her. Even when he said nothing, she felt him.He hovered just inside the door. She could hear the way he breathed—slow, careful. Like he didn’t want to disturb her. Like maybe he was thinking about turning back around.“Are you coming in or not?” she asked softly.A pause.Then quiet footsteps. He crossed the room, then hesitated again. For

Amelie’s POVThe house was too quiet.I’d been staring at the same page in my book for twenty minutes, and I still didn’t know what the hell I’d read. The words blurred, slanted, blurred again. My eyes felt dry. My limbs were heavy. But it wasn’t exhaustion.It was the kind of silence that creeps into your blood when you’ve been avoiding a truth too long.I was curled up on the couch in one of Luca’s sweaters—one I might’ve stolen permanently. The fabric smelled like cedar and gun oil, familiar in a way that made my stomach ache. Across the room, the fire in the hearth had burned down to embers, casting soft flickers against the walls. Somewhere upstairs, I could hear the low hum of voices. Probably Matteo and Nico arguing over something ridiculous again. Luca had disappeared into the greenhouse after dinner. He did that sometimes when he needed to breathe.I used to think it was just guilt—him trying to deal with what he did. But now I wasn’t so sure.Because lately, when he looked a

_Amelie’s POV_The day started soft.If you would call it that. Sunlight brushed my skin like a sigh, warm and low through the sheer curtains. I didn’t open my eyes. Didn’t need to. I didn’t even want to. The sheets beneath me were warm and the air in the room thick with comfort. The type of situation you would want to remain on bed.I could hear the sound of footsteps even before the door was pushed open.It was Luca this time.I knew it from the scent that followed him—earth and citrus and something smoky I hadn’t yet placed.He didn’t speak.Just set something down on the nightstand and gently brushed his knuckles over my temple. A quiet touch, reverent, like I was something he was afraid to wake.I peeked one eye open. He stood beside the bed, his usual solemn expression softened into something almost boyish.“Not coffee today?” I asked, voice scratchy.He shook his head, eyes glinting with something fond. “You’ve had too much lately. Tea. Chamomile. Honey. Just how you like