Chapter 72

(Renata Pellegrini)

I watch a woman in uniform place the food on my plate, the smell of lasagna permeating my nostrils, makes my stomach churn. I can't even remember the last time I ate.

I can't help the memories; this is the second dish my father loved to make.

If it were back then, I would feel shy to have someone putting the food out for me, as if I were an invalid, but after going out so much with Filippo to restaurants, social business dinners, I've gotten used to it. And that's how I see this house, it's just a place that I'm visiting, soon I'll be away from here.

I feel like protesting about the amount put on my plate, but I need to maintain etiquette. As soon as the woman leaves the dining room, I start to eat. Unfortunately for etiquette, I can't keep my cool and eat quickly, I don't think it took me even a minute to finish the small slice.

“Did it taste good?” Dominic speaks up, reminding me of his existence.

“It was edible.” I speak trying to sound cold, but I wanted to say