Chapter 149

Theo’s POV

The house is quiet when I push the door open, just the faint hum of the embroidery machine filling the space and the soft scratch of scissors gliding along fabric. It’s a comforting sound, familiar now. Like this room already belongs to her, like the house’s heartbeat shifted just to match hers.

She’s sitting at the wide table, her legs curled beneath her, head tilted slightly as she threads a delicate blue ribbon through the bodice of a half-formed dress. Her hands move with practiced care, slow and precise, and I stop in the doorway for a second, just to watch her. Just to breathe it in.

Then I walk forward, silent until I reach her chair.

She looks up, smiling softly. “Hey.”

I don’t answer right away. I just slide my arms around her waist, lift her gently from the seat,