. Elena stood at the counter in nothing but one of Matteo’s old black T-shirts. It hung loose on her, slipping off one shoulder, hitting mid-thigh.
It's been 2 day since they've been expecting her dad and his gang but still nothing.
No collar around her neck anymore. No silver ring pressing into her skin. Just faint marks that were already fading, and the quiet certainty that she didn’t need anything else to prove she belonged here.
She poured four mugs. Black for Matteo. Two sugars for Luca. Cream for Nico. Hers plain, the way she’d started liking it.
Luca came in first. Hair still messy. He wrapped his arms around her from behind, chin resting on her shoulder.
“Morning,” he murmured. Kissed the side of her neck once. Soft. No teeth.
Elena leaned back into him. “Morning. You sleep
