BONDS UNBROKEN

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Chapter Thirty-three

Saturday arrived slower than Briella had hoped. She’d spent the morning pacing her living room, replaying the short text that had come through earlier:

Movie night? My place. 7 PM. Don’t be late. – Marci

Her heart had done a strange little twist when she read it. It wasn’t business. It wasn’t strategy. It was… them. The “them” she wasn’t sure she still had.

By the time the clock struck seven, Briella found herself standing outside Marcellus’s mansion. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor of the hallway as she steadied her breathing. When the door opened, Marcellus stood there casually, wearing a simple black t-shirt and sweatpants, the faintest smile tugging at his lips.

“You’re right on time,” he said, stepping aside for her to enter.

Briella arched a brow as she walked in. “Of course I am. I wouldn’t dare keep you waiting.”

Marcellus chuckled. “Good. Because the food would’ve gone cold.”

The dining table had already been set. A soft glow came from the pendant light above, casting a warm, cozy feel over the room. They sat across from each other, eating in companionable silence at first, until Marcellus leaned back in his chair, watching her.

“You’re quieter than usual,” he noted.

Briella raised her glass, meeting his eyes briefly before sipping. “And you’re observing more than usual.”

He smirked. “Old habit. I like reading people. But you… you’re harder to read now.”

Something in his tone made her shift slightly in her seat, but she didn’t respond. Instead, she smiled faintly and said, “Shall we move to the movie before I lose interest?”

Minutes later, they were in the living room, the opening credits flickering on the screen. Marcellus sat beside her on the couch, close enough that their arms brushed whenever either of them shifted.

Half an hour into the movie, Briella laughed softly at a scene. Marcellus turned his head to look at her instead of the screen, his lips curving unconsciously.

“What?” she asked, catching his gaze.

“Nothing,” he replied, his voice lower than usual. “I just… missed that sound.”

Briella blinked, caught off guard. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air denser. Their eyes lingered, unspoken words swirling between them. Slowly, instinctively, Marcellus leaned in. Briella’s breath caught as her gaze dropped briefly to his lips. Her heart thudded in her chest—

Then a loud crash came from the TV, a gunshot in the movie exploding through the speakers. Both of them jumped slightly, breaking the spell.

Briella chuckled nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Well, that ruined the moment.”

Marcellus leaned back with a sigh, but his smile was amused. “Guess the movie wins tonight.”

The warmth between them lingered, though, and as the movie played on, Briella’s head grew heavier. Before long, she shifted unconsciously, her body leaning toward him until she finally rested against his chest. Marcellus froze for half a second, then relaxed, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

She slept peacefully like that, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling her deeper. Marcellus barely moved the rest of the night, content to sit there holding her, his own eyes growing heavy.

—

Morning light streamed into the living room. Briella stirred first, blinking groggily. Her head was still nestled against Marcellus’s chest, his arm still around her. For a moment, she didn’t move. It felt… safe.

But when she finally sat up, she realized he wasn’t there anymore. The smell of something warm drifted from the kitchen. Curious, she padded over softly.

Marcellus stood at the stove, flipping pancakes, an apron tied around his waist. He looked up when he heard her, a grin spreading across his face.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he teased.

Briella crossed her arms, leaning against the doorway. “I don’t usually sleep at other people’s houses.”

“You don’t usually fall asleep on other people’s chests either,” he countered smoothly, sliding the pancakes onto a plate.

Her cheeks warmed, but she ignored it. “So what’s this? A bribe?”

He carried the plate to the counter, gesturing for her to sit. “Call it… breakfast with an apology. I should’ve woken you, but you looked too peaceful.”

She sat reluctantly, cutting into the food. “You cook?”

“Among other hidden talents,” he said with a smirk.

They ate together, laughter slipping more easily between them than it had in years. When Marcellus reached to wipe a crumb from the corner of her lip with his thumb, Briella stilled. The spark returned, subtle but undeniable.

She cleared her throat, pushing his hand away gently. “You really shouldn’t do that.”

Marcellus leaned closer, his voice dipping. “And what if I want to?”

Her pulse raced. For a moment, it felt like the world had stilled again, just them in this little bubble. Briella tore her gaze away, focusing instead on her plate.

“Then you’d better hope I let you,” she whispered, almost too softly for him to hear.

Marcellus leaned back, satisfied with the hint of color rising in her cheeks. “Progress,” he murmured, earning a sharp look from her.

But she didn’t correct him.

The morning slipped into easy conversation, soft smiles, and the unspoken possibility of something rekindling. For the first time in a long time, Briella felt the weight of the past lift—if only slightly.

✨ End of Chapter Thirty-Three ✨