Dark love

la passed in a strang

ional lunch at her studio in Brera, where canvases whispered the truths people refused to speak aloud. Her bo

nt a private physician for weekly check-ups. Had the nursery redesigned three times without aski

ent. All i

nfuri

ning door between their apartments. He answer

, surprised. "Is

talk," she

m, was cool and composed-steel and slate with seve

armchair by the window.

is head. "D

his-me-like

till. "I'm provid

oviding what you think I n

aw. "Would you prefer I

refer you

urned to face the window, hands tucked in his

don't know how to d

don't have to fix everythin

ly looked-and something b

s much," he admitted. "Not abo

her voice barely abov

again, charge

tood. "Com

wh

he nu

itated, th

over the pale walls and half-assembled furniture. Sketches of color palettes were scattered

erfect," she said. "It jus

place he had no right to touch. He looked

green," he

want pin

an his thumb across the stitching. "I don't remem

ember this o

ith something more than memory. "Do

y when you forget we'r

resence, as always, felt overwhelmi

said. "I'm just afraid o

. "Then be afraid.

sture that startled even her

t him

something changed between them again-not a lea

wo people bound

slowly-to reach for the fragile