Chapter 159
Nonna Wilson had no idea she was hosting a funeral.
Well, not a real one. But the marriage between Elodie and Dante was definitely in a coffin, and Nonna was over here serving lasagna like it was a wedding reception.
"Elodie, Liora, come eat!" Nonna beamed, ushering them toward the table. "It’s getting cold!"
"Okay, we’re coming," Elodie said.
"Coming," Dante echoed.
They spoke in perfect unison. Same rhythm. Same polite, and empty tone. It was synchronized swimming in a sea of lies.
Liora skipped ahead, clutching Elodie’s hand, totally oblivious. Levi watched them go, a knot tightening in his stomach. He slid into the seat next to Dante, across from Elodie and the kid.
"Levi, dear!" Nonna chirped, slapping a massive platter of veal onto the table. "You haven’t been here in ages. I told the chef to make the parmigiana just for you. Eat!"
Levi forced a smile. "Thanks, Grandma. You’re trying to kill me with carbs, I see."
"Good! Get fat! Matteo is too skinny, you need to balance it out."
Levi laughed, but it died in his throat. Because he wasn’t looking at Nonna. He was looking at Elodie.
She was serving Liora. It was a picture-perfect moment. She was meticulously picking the tiny bones out of the white fish, her movements graceful. She placed a flake on Liora’s plate.