My savior

16

*ೃ༄

Natasha Lombardi's pov:

I woke up slowly, feeling the warm weight of my blankets cocooned around me. I stretched, reaching my arms above my head, savoring the last moments of comfort before I'd have to face the cold morning air. Reluctantly, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet hitting the icy floor, sending a shiver up my spine. I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the last traces of sleep, and made my way to the bathroom.

Once inside, I splashed some cold water on my face, the chill helping to wake me up. I brushed through my hair, untangling the knots from the night, then reached for my toothbrush and minty toothpaste, brushing thoroughly until my mouth felt fresh. After rinsing, I examined myself in the mirror, giving my hair one last brush, and reached for my perfume. The familiar scent wafted around me, adding a comforting touch as I put on my carefully chosen outfit for the day.

Feeling a bit more awake, I opened my bedroom door and stepped out, walking down the hallway. The house was quiet, with only faint sounds of morning traffic outside, and the stillness made it feel cozy in a way. As I reached the stairs, I couldn't help but smile, remembering that Luca was sleeping over at our parents' house. He'd been missing them lately, and I knew how much he loved these little trips back home. There was something comforting about the idea of him curled up in his old room, surrounded by memories and the warmth of our parents' presence.

I made my way down the stairs, each step creaking slightly in the quiet morning, and headed toward the kitchen to start my day.

I greeted Seb and Adriano as I walked into the kitchen, where they each sat with steaming cups of coffee in hand. They both looked up, nodding a warm "Good morning," before taking quiet sips. Adriano didn't have a shift today, and Seb didn't have any business obligations either, so they were both enjoying a rare, slow morning. I had work, but not until 1 p.m., so I settled down with my own coffee, savoring the rich, comforting aroma and letting it warm my hands.

As I sipped, my mind started to drift. I found myself thinking about Liam, about how calm and secure he seemed whenever he was around Seb. It made sense—Sebastian was the one who had pulled him out of that nightmare he used to live in, rescuing him from the endless turmoil he faced every day. But what didn't make sense to me was why Seb hadn't taken the next step, why he didn't visit Liam more often unless it was absolutely necessary, or even consider adopting him. Liam clearly looked up to him, trusted him in a way he trusted no one else. And yet, Seb held back, as if something was stopping him.

I understood, in a way. Seb was never the kind of person who talked about settling down or raising kids. He always said he'd wait until he met the right woman, someone who could balance out his life in just the right way. But still, when I saw the way he and Liam interacted, it felt different. Liam was attached to Seb, seeking him out as a source of safety and stability, and Seb had this gentle, protective way about him whenever they were together. It was a side of him I rarely saw—a warmth that didn't usually break through his composed, guarded exterior. Sure, Luca got glimpses of it too, but even with him, it wasn't quite the same.