Chapter 353

• The first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, bathing Leonardo's dark hair in a silver glow. His pale eyelids, tinted faintly with blue, fluttered as the shadows beneath his eyes revealed the depth of his exhaustion. Even in sleep, he stirred, his brow furrowing slightly as though he could sense the weight of my guilt. He truly was worn out.
• I tried to free myself from the powerful arms wrapped snugly around my torso, binding me to his chest. His lips moved in a sleepy mumble, followed by a low, contented hum as he instinctively tightened his grip.
• Downstairs, voices echoed louder with each passing second. Chiara and Enrico were talking, their footsteps heading through the kitchen and toward the stairs. Soon, they'd reach Leonardo's room.