ABSOLUTE INSANITY: A forbidden bond-Chapter 118: The Valerios

Chapter 118: The Valerios
Chapter 118
KATYA POV
I forced myself to take a step, then another. Each one slow and deliberate, like my body was trying not to set off a trap.
My eyes stayed low until they flicked toward Marina, who looked perfectly content, almost glowing, completely unaffected by the silent war humming at the table.
She adjusted her hair, crossed her legs, and smiled faintly—like she was royalty and the rest of us were just furniture.
Then my gaze met Adelasia’s again. No warmth. No welcome. Just a sharp, quiet warning that slid right under my skin.
Breath Katya, breath. I had to remind myself to breathe. Had to remind myself that Nonna was here.
But the thought of sitting at the same table with Adelasia, with those eyes following me, made my stomach twist.
I edged closer to my seat, every movement deliberate, calculated, careful. I could almost feel her measuring me, weighing my every step, anticipating my fear.
The metallic gleam of her hand caught the light as she lifted her glass slightly, and my heart skipped.
I thought Romeo was the dangerous one, the person I had to watch my back around.But Adelasia... this version of her... Yeah.
I was in deep, deep trouble.
I pulled Nonna’s chair into place and slipped into the seat closest to her—close enough that her presence felt like a shield, thin as paper but still something.
Keeping my eyes on the table. The polished surface. The reflection of soft lights. Anything that wasn’t copper hair and cold green eyes.
My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted my napkin, pretending I belonged here, pretending this was normal.
"Tesoro," Nonna murmured, voice low but firm. "Dish out food for yourself. I didn’t say to sit with me. I said eat with me."
Right. Eat. I reached out stiffly, grabbing whatever dishes were closest to me without looking.
A bit of bread. Some vegetables. Something that smelled like chicken. I didn’t care. I wasn’t tasting any of it anyway.
I just wanted to be out of there. Out of this room. Away from her eyes.
The clink of utensils, the soft scrape of plates, all sounded too loud to my ears. Like everyone could hear my heart thudding in my chest.
I kept my gaze glued to my plate, shoulders tense, hands too careful as I picked at the food. My appetite was long gone despite the delicious meal presented to me.
Across the table, Marina hummed quietly, pleased and comfortable as she served herself with practiced elegance.
Completely unbothered. Completely oblivious or uninterested in the tension strangling the room.
And Adelasia...I didn’t have to look up to know she was still watching me.
The awareness crawled over my skin like cold fingers tracing my spine. I swallowed hard, stabbing a piece of bread I didn’t want.
If I could dig a hole under this dining table and crawl into it, I would. Anything to be out of her line of sight.
Anything to stop feeling like my days were numbered. Nonna cleared her throat. Not loudly. Not sharply. But in a way that made everyone look up.
Even me.
Marina paused mid slice of her bread, her smile tightening just for a split second before snapping back into place.
Adelasia didn’t move much but her eyes flicked toward Nonna, attentive and cool, as if she was curious about what would happen next.
I still don’t know her relationship with nonna, they both didn’t acknowledge their presence. I know adelasia is Romeo cousin and nonna is Romeo’s grandma which should mean Adelasia’s grandma too, right?
"Marina, am I correct?..." Nonna began, her tone polite but carrying that soft authority only old Italian women could manage.
"Yes, signora?" Marina responded and I could see the delight in nonna’s face at her been able to speak Italian.
"I’ve been thinking." Nonna tilted her head, observing her like she was inspecting a painting she wasn’t quite convinced was real.
Marina’s smile brightened instantly but it faded when nonna spoke next. "I do not recall seeing you before. Not in this home. Not in this room. Not among our guests."
Marina blinked, caught off guard. "Oh—I, um—my father is meeting with Don Salvatore. I came with him."
"Yes," Nonna nodded. "That is what you said."The room went quiet.
Even the subtle sound of distant kitchen pots seemed to hush.
Finally someone is questioning. Nonna continued softly, "So I am curious, tesoro... why are you here? In the dining hall? Preparing to eat? Here?"
Marina opened her mouth, closed it, then forced the same elegant smile, though it looked tighter now.
"Oh, well... I was asked to leave the room so I thought I’d wait here for him," she said lightly. "I didn’t want to disturb the meeting. Besides, I assumed it would be fine."
"Assumed," Nonna repeated, not unkindly, but with that tone that could cut through pride like a knife through soft bread.
"Yet this is not a public restaurant, tesoro. And guests do not dine here without invitation." The faintest crack appeared in Marina’s expression.
I almost felt bad for her.
Almost.
She straightened, smoothing her dress. "I... wasn’t aware I needed permission. I’ve been here many times."
Nonna’s brows lifted slowly. "Have you?"
Marina hesitated.
Adelasia’s gaze slid to the girl—just a glance.
"I... accompanied my father before," she said finally, but her voice lacked the confidence she had strutted in with.
"Hmm." Nonna hummed, leaning back comfortably as she lifted her glass. "Strange. I have met every Valerio that has stepped foot into this house. Yet you..." She paused, smiling politely. "You are new."
Silence wrapped around the table again. Marina’s smile trembled—barely noticeable unless you were watching her closely.
I watched. Adelasia watched.
Marina blinked rapidly, lashes fluttering like she needed a second to reset herself. "Signora, I... I’m sorry," she said, letting a small, confused laugh escape.
"I’m not sure I understand. Are you saying I’m not welcome here?" Her voice wasn’t shaky but it wasn’t as smooth as before either.
She tried for innocent confusion. That wide-eyed, polished-girl act. The kind that made everyone else look unreasonable.
But Nonna didn’t flinch.
"Oh no, tesoro," Nonna said with a gentle chuckle, waving a hand lightly. "Do not twist my words. I am only... curious."
Marina’s shoulders eased by a fraction. She even managed a soft laugh.
Nonna leaned forward, the warm dining room light catching the silver in her hair. "It is simply surprising, that is all. That the Valerios have such a very pretty child, and yet this is the first time I see her."
Marina’s smile returned bigger this time, but the corners were stiff.
She wasn’t sure whether she’d just been complimented... or put neatly back in her place.
Adelasia let out the faintest exhale through her nose. Not a laugh... but close. Amused, in that sharp, dangerous way she did everything.
Why was Adelasia so scary now? I missed the old one.
Marina laughed softly, adjusting her hair again as though nothing had shaken her confidence at all. "Well... thank you, signora. That’s very kind."
"Eat up dear." Nonna replied.