Chapter 337: Like my own.

CHAPTER 338

KATY POV

Her face brightened instantly. “There you are.” The smile she gave me carried the same warmth it always did.

“Come here, my dear.” I crossed the room. She reached for my hand the moment I was close enough.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m alright.”

“You look tired.”

“…I didn’t sleep very well.” She nodded knowingly.

“I suspected as much.” Her thumb gently brushed across the back of my hand.

“I wasn’t sleeping either.” I looked at her in surprise. She smiled softly before turning her gaze back toward the gardens.

“Sometimes…” Her voice grew quieter. “Old women simply enjoy sitting with their thoughts.” She gave a tiny laugh. “And the view helps.”

I followed her gaze out the window. It really was beautiful. Utterly peaceful. A paradise of quiet safety. It was the exact polar opposite of the chaotic, terrifying thoughts currently running rampant through my head.

She gestured toward the empty, plush chair beside her.”Sit with me for a little while.”

For a moment… I almost forgot why I’d come. Slowl, my fingers tightened around Nonna’s hand. The words I’d rehearsed all the way here suddenly refused to come out.

“…Nonna…”

“Mm?” “I…” My throat felt strangely dry. “I actually came because…” I forced myself to keep looking at the older woman.

“…I wanted to ask if I could borrow some cash.” For the first time since I’d entered the room, genuine surprise crossed Nonna’s face.

“…Cash?” I nodded.

She blinked at me. “But… cara.” Her brows drew together in confusion. “I gave you a bank card the day we arrived.”

My stomach twisted.

“I know.” “And there should still be plenty on it.”

“I know.”

“So…” She tilted her head slightly.

“Did something happen to your card?” The massive lie lodged painfully in my throat, threatening to choke me.

I couldn’t tell her the truth. I couldn’t tell her it was sitting in a plastic evidence bag or burned to ash. Not without explaining the alleyway, the blood, and everything else. “…I just… can’t use it right now.” It wasn’t entirely a lie. Just… nowhere near the whole truth.

Nonna regarded me quietly, the silence stretching out between us. She didn’t question the vague answer.

She didn’t press or demand explanations. Instead, her eyes lingered on my tense face for another long, agonizing moment before she slowly looked back out the window, giving me space to breathe.

The silence stretched gently between us, no longer peaceful, but thick with unspoken words.

“I’ve noticed something.” Her voice remained calm as She smiled faintly to herself. “You’ve been different these past few days.” I looked down at our joined hands.

“You’ve smiled less.”

“You’ve been somewhere else in your mind.”

My chest tightened as she added softly, “…Ever since Romeo arrived.” My heartbeat stumbled, skipping a crucial beat.

She let out a heavy, world-weary sigh. “My troublesome grandson…” There wasn’t any anger in her voice when she spoke of him. Only deep, abiding affection mixed with the profound exhaustion that only family could produce.

“If he has said or done something that’s troubling you…” She squeezed my hand tightly, offering me a lifeline. “…you know you can tell me.”

I stared down at our hands, the warmth of her palms contrasting with the ice in my veins. Words crowded desperately against my lips, begging to be released.

I could tell her. I could confession everything right now. The burning club. The terrifying alleyway. The looming threat of the police. Romeo’s midnight promises. The web of lies. The paralyzing fear. Everything. “N-Nonna…” My voice cracked and Heat rushed behind my eyes.

No. No. Not now.

“I…” I tried again.

Nothing came out. Nonna looked at me. Really looked at me, seeing the silent war raging behind my eyes.

Then, without asking another single question, without forcing me to break, she gently patted my hand with infinite grace.

“My wardrobe.” I drew in a sharp, ragged breath, blinking back the moisture.

She nodded toward the large, beautifully carved dark wood wardrobe standing against the opposite wall. “Top drawer. There should be some cash there. Take whatever you need.”

“…Nonna…”She smiled. It wasn’t a smile of ignorance; she didn’t believe my weak cover story. But she had made the conscious, loving decision not to force the truth out of me before I was ready.

“I’ll wait until you’re ready.” Her voice was impossibly gentle. “And until then…” She reached over and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“…just remember something.” She smiled again, a beautiful, pure smile that made the guilt in my heart swell until it was almost unbearable. “I am here. Always. No matter what it is.”

A massive lump formed painfully in my throat, cutting off my air. “I love you exactly as I would my own child, Katya.”

A sharp, fractured exhale burst through my lips. Before the tears could spill over and betray my weakness entirely, I forced myself to stand up.

Crossing to the wardrobe, I opened the top drawer. My eyes widened. There was far more money than I’d expected. Bundles neatly arranged. Enough that taking what Chiara and I needed would never even be noticed.

Still… I only took a small amount. Just enough for transportation there…

And back. Nothing more. Closing the drawer carefully, I turned toward the door. My hand had barely touched the handle when Nonna called softly behind me.

“Katya.” I looked back. “Be safe, mia cara.” I couldn’t trust my voice. So I simply nodded. Then I hurried out before she could see the tears finally escaping. The door clicked shut behind me.

“…Katya?” Chiara was already waiting in the hallway exactly where I’d left her.

The moment she saw my face… Her own expression changed.

“What happened? Why are you crying?.”

I quickly wiped beneath my eyes. “…I’m fine.” Chiara didn’t believe me for a second.

Her gaze flickered from my damp eyes… To the folded notes clutched tightly in my hand. Then back to my face.