Chapter 154
Elodie’s POV~
Then a voice that sounded a little uncertain, suddenly called out from the hallway.
“Sister-in-law? I heard you were sick. Are you feeling any better p>
I recognized it immediately. Yancy. Dante’s younger brother.
Before I could answer, Dante spoke up. “Come in p>
The door had been left ajar after everyone had filtered in and out earlier. Now it swung open wider, and Yancy stepped inside, his expression cautious.
He looked at Dante first. “Brother p>
Dante gave a short nod. “Mm p>
Then Yancy’s eyes shifted to me, and I could see the hesitation there. We’d never really talked much, just made greetings at family dinners, the occasional nod in passing. He probably wasn’t sure how to navigate this.
So I made it easier for him.
“I’m feeling a lot better now,” I said, keeping my tone light. “Thank you for asking p>
He scratched the back of his head, looking relieved. “Oh. Good. That’s… that’s good p>
I offered him a small smile. “You haven’t been back here in a while, have you p>
“Yeah, no, I’ve been swamped with school stuff. But I missed the food here, so I figured I’d come back for a bit. Soon as I walked in, Nonna told me you had a fever p>
Before I could respond, Nonna herself appeared in the doorway, her face lighting up when she saw me sitting upright.
“Oh, sweetheart, you look so much better already.” She clasped her hands together. “The kitchen just finished making the soup. Dr. Stanley said you can have some now. Would you rather come downstairs, or should Dante bring it up p>
I hadn’t eaten much earlier, and honestly, staying cooped up in this room was starting to suffocate me.
“I’ll come down,” I said.
Nonna beamed. “Perfect p>
Downstairs, the dining room smelled like chicken broth and herbs. It was one soup that smelled comforting with a homey scent that should’ve made me feel better.
It didn’t.
Yancy plopped down across from me. “Where’s Liora p>
Nonna handed me a bowl of soup before answering. “She had a little earlier but didn’t finish. I’ll have her drink the rest later p>
I accepted the bowl and blew gently on the surface, watching the steam curl and dissipate.
Dante sat down beside me. Close, but not too close.
Then his phone buzzed.
I saw him glance at the screen. His jaw tightened just slightly, and then, deliberately, he angled his body away from me, shielding the phone as he typed out a response.
I didn’t need to see the screen to know.
He was texting Sienna.
I kept my eyes on my soup, sipping slowly, letting the warmth slide down my throat.
Nonna frowned at him from across the table. “Can’t that wait until after dinner p>
“Just a minute,” Dante said without looking up.
I finished the soup quickly. Set the bowl down with a soft clink.
“Would you like more?” Nonna asked.
I shook my head and stood. “No, thank you. I’m full p>
As I rose, I caught a glimpse of Dante’s screen, just a flash, but it was enough to see.
Sienna: Can we go over the Verona project specs tonight? I want your input before the meeting.
Dante: Sure. I’ll call you in a bit.
He noticed me looking and shifted even further away, his shoulders angling to block my view entirely.
Like I cared.
I turned and walked into the living room, picking up a newspaper someone had left on the coffee table. I didn’t actually read it. Just stared at the words until they stopped making sense.
A few minutes later, Yancy appeared with a plate of freshly cut fruit. “Want some p>
I looked up. “No, thanks. You have it p>
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dante stand and leave the dining room, phone still pressed to his ear as he headed upstairs.
I dropped my gaze back to the newspaper.
Yancy sat down beside me, fidgeting with the plate. I could feel him glancing at me every few seconds, like he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.
Finally, I lowered the paper. “What is it p>
He hesitated, then let out a sheepish laugh. “Okay, so… my brain’s not wired like yours or my brother’s, you know? I’ve got a few physics problems I’m stuck on, and I was wondering if maybe p>
Yancy kept talking, oblivious to the way my good mood had just curdled in my stomach. “I wanted to ask my brother for help, but he said he was busy and told me to ask you instead p>
I blinked, pushing the sudden chill down. “Oh p>
I took the test papers from his hand without a word.
Yancy wasn’t a bad student. He just lacked confidence. His foundation was solid; he just needed someone to translate the textbook gibberish into plain English. I went through three of the problems, explaining the logic step-by-step. Once he saw the pattern, he got it immediately.
“Whoa. Oh my God, that makes so much sense!” Yancy’s eyes went wide. “Sister-in-law, you’re a genius! Thank you p>
He started scribbling answers furiously, looking like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “Finally! I can go play on my phone guilt-free now p>
I chuckled softly, setting the newspaper aside. My head felt clearer, the fever finally retreating. I thought about going upstairs to grab a different book, something to kill the next hour.
Yancy suddenly leaned in close, whispering like he was sharing state secrets. “Hey, Sister-in-law. My idol raced again last week. She was insane this time. I’ve got the replay. Wanna watch p>
My smile froze. Just… stopped.
“No, thanks,” I said, my voice coming out flatter than I intended. “I’m not really into car racing p>
“Really?” He looked genuinely shocked. “But that day at the track? You were watching with binoculars for like, an hour. I totally thought you were a fan too p>
My chest tightened. That day. The day I saw her win.
“I just… saw some acquaintances there,” I lied smoothly.
“Oh.” Yancy looked disappointed but didn’t push it. He turned back to his phone, sighing dreamily. “Man, I miss her. She didn’t race this weekend, and who knows when she’ll be back. It’s so boring p>
I stood up abruptly. “I’m going upstairs to get a book p>
“Okay! Get some rest, yeah? You look pale p>
“Mm p>
I walked away, feeling as though my heart was thumping a little too hard.
Upstairs, the hallway was quiet. When I got back to Dante’s room—my room, for now, I saw the book I’d been reading earlier sitting on the desk. The one Dante had stolen.
I picked it up and shoved it into my bag. I wasn’t leaving that here.
I scanned the room. I’d finished the newspaper, and I didn’t want to go back downstairs to face Yancy’s racing obsession or Dante’s… whatever he was doing. I needed a distraction.
I remembered I’d left a thriller in Liora’s room last time I was here.
I walked down the hall to her door.
It opened a crack.
And then I heard bright, sweet, bubbly voice that belonged to Liora. The one she never used with me anymore.
“Aunt Sienna! I’m so bored! Can you keep me company for a bit p>
I froze, my hand hovering over the doorknob.
A pause. Then Liora giggled. “I’ll drink the soup soon, I promise! Don’t worry, Aunt Sienna p>
Aunt Sienna. Aunt Sienna.
I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes for a second. The soreness in my throat had nothing to do with the fever anymore. I let out a soft cough, just enough to announce myself and pushed the door open.
Liora was lying on her bed, legs kicking in the air, phone pressed to her ear. She saw me and sat up, looking surprisingly cheerful.
“Mom! Why are you out of your room p>
“Just came to get a book,” I said, my voice perfectly level.
She scrambled off the bed and grabbed my hand. Her palm was warm. “Great-grandma said the soup’s ready. Are you coming down with me to drink some p>
I gently pulled my hand away. The contact felt like a lie.
“I already had some,” I said. “You go ahead p>
Liora, still high on whatever Sienna was saying to her on the phone, didn’t even notice the distance. She just grinned. “Alright then! I’ll head down now p>
She bounded past me, practically skipping down the hallway.
I stood there in the doorway of her room, staring at the empty space where she’d just been.