Chapter 45: Old times
Mara lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind restless. No matter how hard she tried, there was something her memories refused to reveal—a piece of the past just out of reach.
"You can sleep in my room tonight," Steve murmured, his voice gentle. "I’ll have Mom’s room prepared for you and get you new things." It was an old habit of his, as if he could read her thoughts before she even spoke them.
Mara offered a small smile. "No, it’s fine," she whispered.
Steve leaned against the doorframe, watching her. "Everything’s just as you left it. We didn’t want to risk you throwing a tantrum if anything had changed." His lips curled into a teasing grin. "Someone did touch a few things, but I guess you’ve outgrown this room. Our little Stafania, ten years old in my mind... and now, about to be a mother."
She barely heard him. The room around her felt frozen in time, yet everything in it seemed to reach for her, urging her to remember. And just like always, her thoughts stopped at that one night—the night that changed everything.
"Yeah, and she’s twenty," Mara added with a small smirk.
Steve chuckled. "Don’t feel bad. Stay in my room tonight. I’m sure the others will be jealous."
He had only stopped by to check on her, to see if she was comfortable, but there she was—still awake, lying on the bed, lost in thought.
"Make yourself at home," he continued. "You’ve always loved stealing my clothes anyway. First thing tomorrow, we’ll get you new ones." His voice softened. "And I’ve already started the process for the annulment. Don’t worry about a thing—I’ll handle all the details. You won’t have to see him again."
Mara let out a quiet smile, but her heart felt heavy.
Before everything fell apart, Ethan had given her a place when she thought she belonged nowhere. He had loved her, cared for her. She wondered—when had that changed? Had she been too blind to see it coming?