<b>“</b>You’ve got the code. Your fingerprint’s in the system. Yet I never see you around here.”


    Eddie set his tea down on the table, matching Alessia’s choice–ck tea, fragrant and warm.


    The aroma drifted softly through the room. Alessia took a breath, sipped, and smiled.


    “Except for Mae, no one makes a better cup than you.”


    Eddie recognized the attempt to steer the conversation elsewhere but let it slide. His gaze shifted to Ivan, who was staring at a painting on the wall.


    “Ever tried your hand at painting, Ivan?”


    Ivan broke his gaze from the artwork and shook his head.


    “I’ve got all the supplies here. Want to give it a try?”


    Ivan nced at Alessia, who gave him a reassuring nod. Only then did he turn back


    to Eddie and nod as well.


    “The easels and paints are all set up in the next room. My art studio’s a real gem–normally, I don’t let anyone else in.” Eddie always made a point of looking people in the eye when he spoke. With his gentle features, it was disarming, almost as if you couldn’t help but follow his lead.


    But Ivan’s guard was up, more than Eddie expected. When Alessia didn’t move, Ivan avoided Eddie’s gaze and looked back at the painting on the wall.


    Eddie exchanged a quick look with Alessia, who immediately understood.


    “Come on,” she said, her voice full of certainty, gently patting Ivan on the back of his head. “I designed that studio myself. You’re going to love it.”


    Ivan blinked a few times but eventually followed them.


    Eddie led the way, pushing open the door to the studio. Alessia gave Ivan a gentle nudge, sending him in first.


    Sunlight poured into the room, flooding it with warmth. Shadows of tree branches outside danced across the easels and bookshelves, swaying in the breeze. Even before a single line was drawn, the whole ce felt like a living painting–light and shadow, ss windows, the scent of wood from the shelves. Everything felt just


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    right.


    Ivan stood frozen, eyes wide, blinking as he took it all in. Alessia rested her hand on his shoulder but didn’t look at him.


    “Told you, didn’t I? You’d love it here.”


    She’d known from the moment she’d described the view outside that Ivan would fall for this ce.


    “Everything’s ready for you. It’d be a shame not to paint something while you’re here, don’t you think?” At some point, Eddie had already set out the supplies.


    He crouched down, offering Ivan a paintbrush. This time, Ivan didn’t refuse. He took it and sat in the chair Eddie had set up for him.


    He didn’t hesitate. After a brief, absent–minded gaze out the window, he began mixing paints.


    Though the scene outside was bright and cheerful, Ivan covered the canvas in ck paint. Then he added swathes of yellow, seemingly at random, the brushstrokes twisted and restless.


    At some point, Alessia had slipped out, savoring her tea in the hallway. Eddie sat beside Ivan, watching, a slight furrow in his brow.


    It wasn’t until lunchtime, when Alessia called them out to eat, that Ivan finally put down his brush.


    By the time the others had nearly finished, Ivan’s bowl was still half full. Eddie shot Alessia a look; she understood instantly, packing the leftovers into a takeout box.


    “Can you stay here by yourself for a while? I’ll be over there juste find me if you need anything. You’ll be able to see me from here.”


    Ivan nced in the direction she pointed and nodded.


    “Good boy.” Alessia ruffled his hair, her smile full of warmth and praise.


    As she walked away, she waved, and Ivan, making sure he could still see her, finally rxed and began to eat.


    “So?” Alessia turned, her smile fading.


    “There’s no question–he’s a genius with a paintbrush. But…”