Chapter 27: The Gentle Morning
Sunlight crept into the quiet room, brushing the edges of the blanket that rested on Janet's frame. Luca stirred from the couch, his eyes finding her still form on the bed. His chest rose and fell with an unfamiliar emotion—tenderness.
Without making a sound, he walked toward her.
She looked so fragile, her lips slightly parted in sleep, her face still streaked with dried tears. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her forehead, and paused.
Then, as if pulled by instinct, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
A whisper of affection. A silent vow.
He straightened himself and left the room, not knowing she'd stirred slightly at his touch, caught in a moment between sleep and reality.
When she finally awoke fully, Janet looked around in a daze, piecing together where she was—and the nightmare she had lived through. Her breath caught as memories returned. But so did Luca's calming voice… his arms… the safe feeling she'd never known before.
She stood, showered, and composed herself, then walked downstairs.
Luca sat at the breakfast table with his glasses on, flipping through his tablet like nothing had happened.
Janet sat down across from him.
"You okay now?" he asked, eyes soft behind the glass.
She gave a slight nod. "Hmm… Thank you, for last night."
He smiled.