I pressed my head deeper into my pillow when it seemed to move away. "Stop moving," I grumbled before clutching my hands tightly into a shirt. Wait. I felt something vibrate. I looked up at Theo to see him chuckling. I hid my face in embarrassment. "Not funny," I mumbled.

"Cece, it's time to wake up." I felt myself being picked up by Ace, who placed me on his hip. "I need to check that leg out, mhm?" I nodded. I didn't like hospitals, but if the boot would be removed, I wouldn't mind. The rest of my brothers had left the living room, and I wondered where they went.

We walked down the stairs to the room filled with medical equipment. My breath hitched at the sight. "It's okay, sorellina," Ace patted my back before setting me on the bed. He crouched down and carefully removed the boot from my leg. It felt stiff since I hadn't moved it much. "Looks better to me, but don't overstrain it too much yet. It's still healing." He smiled at me before putting the boot away.

"Hug?" I asked hesitantly, shrugging my shoulders. His face lit up, and he quickly wrapped his arms around me.

After a moment, Ace scooped me up again. "Come on, let's head to my room for a bit." I nodded, letting him carry me up the stairs. As we stepped inside, I looked around, taking in the space. It had a unique, laid-back feel—like a mix between a sailor's retreat and a surfer's haven. Surfboards were mounted on the walls, their colors slightly faded from use. Strands of seashells hung near the windows. A hammock was tucked into the corner. His room was cozy.

My gaze landed on a guitar leaning against the bookshelf. I tilted my head in curiosity. "You play?" Ace followed my gaze, his expression shifting slightly. His usual easy-going grin faltered for a second before he looked away. "Not anymore," he muttered.

I frowned. "Why not?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Haven't touched it since you and Mom left."

The weight of his words settled over us, heavy and unspoken. I swallowed hard, guilt pressing against my chest. I wanted to say something, that I never wanted to leave him behind, but the words stuck in my throat.

Instead, I walked over, hesitantly brushing my fingers over the strings. A thin layer of dust had settled on them. "Maybe one day... you'll want to again," I said softly. Ace didn't answer right away. When I looked up, he was watching me, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small shake of his head, he ruffled my hair. "Maybe."

A knock on the door broke the moment. James peeked his head in, grinning. "We're getting food—Luca's making pasta for brunch. You coming?" Ace glanced at me, silently asking if I was up for it. I gave him a small nod. "Yeah, we'll be down in a minute," he said.

As James left, Ace stretched, shaking off whatever heaviness had settled over him. "Alright, sorellina, let's get you fed before James eats everything." I smiled faintly, following him out. Ace led me down the hall, his arm draped loosely over my shoulders as we made our way toward the kitchen. The smell of garlic and tomatoes filled the air, making my stomach grumble softly.

"Smells good," I murmured.

"Yeah, Luca takes his pasta very seriously," Ace chuckled.

As we stepped into the kitchen, I saw Luca standing at the stove, stirring a pot of sauce. His sleeves were rolled up, and he had a concentrated look on his face, completely in his element. James was already perched on the counter, sneaking bites of mozzarella from a plate, while Theo leaned against the fridge, scrolling through his phone.

"Hands off the cheese, James," Luca said without even looking. James huffed but grabbed another piece anyway before shooting me a wink. "Sabs, tell Luca to stop bossing me around." I shook my head, a small smile playing at my lips. "Pretty sure you're a lost cause."

James gasped dramatically. "Et tu, Sabrina?" He dramatically stated in French.

Luca turned, shaking his head at James before his gaze landed on me. "Come sit, piccola. You hungry?" I nodded, taking a seat at the island while Ace grabbed a chair next to me. "I can help," I offered, but Luca waved me off.

"You can help by eating," he said simply. Theo finally put his phone away and walked over, leaning down slightly to inspect my leg. "How's the ankle?"

"Better," I admitted. "Still a little stiff."

He nodded. "Just don't push it too much." I nodded before looking over at Luca.

Luca placed a bowl of steaming pasta in front of me, the rich scent making my stomach twist with hunger. "Eat, piccola you don't have to eat everything" he said gently. I took a bite, warmth spreading through me as I ate. It reminded me of when I was younger before everything had fallen apart. The table was filled with chatter, mostly James and Theo bickering about something stupid, while Luca occasionally told them to shut up. Ace stayed quieter than usual, though, and I couldn't stop thinking about the guitar in his room.