Chapter 10 - The Last BasinThe autumn leaves had long since vanished, replaced by the soft, glowing lights of the holiday season across Manhattan.
Inside the grand library of the Bellandi mansion, a towering Christmas tree stood by the tall windows, glittering with gold and silver ornaments.
A roaring fire crackled in the stone hearth, casting dancing shadows across the Persian rug.
Lorenzo sat in a plush leather armchair by the fire, reading a leather-bound ledger. The door opened quietly, and tiny footsteps padded across the floor.
Mia stood beside his chair, holding a plastic basin filled with warm water. This time, the basin was smaller, pink, and filled with lavender-scented soap bubbles that floated lazily into the air.
"Uncle Lorenzo," she announced solemnly. "Time for your treatment."
Lorenzo closed the ledger, placed it on the side table, and looked down at the little girl. He rolled up his pants cuffs without hesitation, planted his feet firmly on the floor, and smiled.
Sophie stood by the doorway, holding two mugs of hot cocoa, watching them with a quiet, peaceful smile on her face.
Mia dipped a small washcloth into the warm water, squeezed it out with both hands, and gently pressed it against Lorenzo’s ankle.
"Are your feet still sleeping?" she asked seriously.
May you like
Lorenzo reached down, gently patting her small hand.
"No, princess," Lorenzo said, looking up into her bright, innocent eyes as the fire crackled warmly behind them. "They're wide awake. And they're never going to sleep again."
