Chapter 111

Ellie

He slid the sleek device across the kitchen counter toward me, a glint of mischief in his eyes. I stared at the brand-new phone, its screen reflecting the dim light, my heart skipping a beat.

"Is this for me?" My voice barely rose above a whisper, confusion knotting my brows. Why would Giovanni give me such an expensive gift out of the blue?

"Of course, it's for you." He leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I picked up the phone, its cool surface foreign in my palm. "Giovanni, why are you giving me this?" The words rushed out in a torrent, fueled by a mix of surprise and a nagging sense of unease.

He laughed, the sound rich and warm, filling the space between us. "Ellie, you act as if I've shackled you. You're not a caged bird, you know."