Silver watched quietly as Louis was carried away, but not without a little drama—his chubby hand reached back and smeared one last trail of syrup across Lorenzo's cheek. A final blow.
Everyone burst out laughing again, and Silver clutched her stomach as Lorenzo gave her a deadpan stare.
"This is what you're laughing at? I save a child from the streets, feed him, cuddle him, and he tries to assassinate me with pancakes."
"You look like a walking omelette," Noah teased.
Lorenzo stood up, sticky and shining. "Fine. Laugh now. But I'm going to shower and reclaim my dignity."
Silver chuckled and waved at him. "Good luck with that."
As Lorenzo exited the room, peeling off his ruined shirt on the way, Silver found herself still smiling. The villa, once too big and too quiet, now felt warm with laughter and life. It was messy, unpredictable, but beautiful in a way she hadn't felt in years.
Natalie nudged her lightly. "You're glowing."
Silver blinked. "Huh?"
