Semua Bab A New Babysitter and the Billionaire Widower: Bab 161 - Bab 170

I spent the entire Sunday with a strange anxiety in my chest. Ever since I received Giulia's message confirming that Isa and Miguel would stay with Serena and that I could pick her up at seven, it was as if every minute lasted twice as long.I was in my apartment, in front of the mirror, adjusting my collar for the third time. I've never been the type to care much about clothes. But that night, everything seemed important. I chose a simple navy-blue shirt, one that Giulia always said brought out my eyes."Breathe, Noah," I murmured to myself, trying to control the anticipation that rose like a shiver down my spine.I looked at the sofa where my blazer was tossed. I picked it up and put it on, trying to imagine what she would feel when she saw me. Did she still feel something for me? Or would that night just be a way for us to settle accounts with the past and find balance for Serena's sake?I took a deep breath and went to the shelf to grab my wallet and

When we left the restaurant, the warm night air enveloped us, bringing that smell of asphalt mixed with the freshness of the trees. I was ready to take her straight home, but Giulia pointed to the illuminated park across the street."Let's take a walk?" she asked, with a light smile. "It's a beautiful night."I didn't need much convincing. Any extra minute beside her was a gift.We crossed together and soon were surrounded by tall trees and the soft sounds of the city in the distance. The lampposts created a golden path across the grass, and there were couples, families, and children enjoying the night. An ice cream vendor was near the entrance, and Giulia looked at me sideways."Ice cream?" she asked, almost as a tease."Only if it's pistachio," I replied, already pulling out my wallet.She laughed and chose strawberry, and we walked slowly, savoring the sweetness while the heat of the night seemed to hold us there. For a few minutes, the s

The smell of oil paint mixed with freshly brewed coffee had always been my favorite combination. It was almost like a ritual: turning on soft music in the corner of the studio, preparing the palette with new colors, and letting the morning silence be filled only by the sound of the brush gliding across the canvas. But today, no matter how hard I tried to focus, the image occupying my mind wasn't the sunflowers I was trying to paint — it was Giulia laughing, with that shy way of looking down, and Serena asleep in her arms.The tip of the brush touched the canvas, spreading a vibrant shade of yellow. I wanted it to be like last night's light, the one that illuminated her face at the Japanese restaurant. It wasn't just the place's lighting — it was the light she carried, even when she didn't notice. I knew how to paint shadows, contrasts, perspectives… but I never knew how to paint what I saw when I looked at her. Maybe I didn't even need to. Maybe just being near her was enough."You lo

I arrived at my apartment and dropped the bags in the living room as if it were Christmas and I had just come from Santa's house. The silence inside seemed to wait for the arrival of something… or rather, someone.I started with the crib. I took the pieces out of the box carefully, as if they were fragile, even though I knew they weren't. The fabric still had that new smell, mixed with a light cotton scent. The manual was there, but I didn't even need to look at it much — it was easy to assemble. In a few minutes, the crib was already set up, leaning near the window, where the morning light came in softly. I folded one of the blankets and arranged a small baby pillow.Then I organized the diaper and wipes kit on a low shelf. I washed the new bottles, leaving them to dry in the sink. On the activity mat, I hung the little bells and swayed them, imagining Serena laughing.For a moment, I stopped and looked at everything. A corner of my home that now h

I could still feel his lips on mine, even after the kiss ended. It was as if the room had grown smaller, warmer, more alive. I didn't know what to say. I didn't even know if I wanted to say anything.Noah didn't pull away immediately. He stayed there, his hand on my face, looking at me in that way that always undid me. Those brown eyes that seemed to hold secrets and, at the same time, open themselves completely to me."I think… I'll put Serena to sleep," I murmured, trying to escape the weight of the intensity between us.He just nodded, and bent down to pick up the portable crib he had bought and assembled hours earlier. I settled Serena inside, covering her with the soft blanket, and she let out a peaceful sigh, already deep in sleep.When I turned around, he was gathering the empty packaging, putting away tools, closing the last boxes of the things he had bought for her. I approached, letting my eyes wander around the apartment.His stud