When Per Sempre Became Ash

Scarlett went downstairs to find Carmela being wheeled in by Isabella. A group of Soldato followed, carrying an array of expensive luggage.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in," Carmela drawled, her eyes half-lidded as she shot Scarlett a frosty look. "I was beginning to think you planned to rot in your wing of the house forever."

Isabella stood beside her, holding a cup of steaming herbal tea. "Mamma just had a check-up," she said sweetly. "The doctor said she needs to move around more."

"A check-up?" Scarlett's gaze dropped to her mother-in-law's legs.

Carmela patted her own knee smugly. "Surprised? The doctor says my recovery is marvelous. I'll be back on my feet in no time."

She gestured upstairs. "Isabella is staying here from now on to look after me. I don't give a damn if you agree or not."

Scarlett said nothing, a faint, unreadable smile playing on her lips as she looked at Julian.

He pursed his lips and muttered, "Scarlett has already agreed."

Carmela looked surprised for a moment, then snorted. "So she's finally learned her place."

Isabella beamed, immediately linking her arm with Carmela's.

"Mamma, I'll go get my things settled, then."

Carmela patted her hand affectionately. "Go on, sweetheart. Pick any room you like."

Isabella's eyes lit up. She hurried upstairs, and a moment later, a loud crash echoed from the upper floor.

Scarlett looked up to see Isabella directing a maid to take down a large oil painting from the hallway wall.

She and Julian had bought that painting together at an auction. It depicted the Tuscan landscape where they'd had their first date.

"This painting is so dated. It completely clashes with the manor's aesthetic," Isabella scoffed with a dismissive wave, ordering the maid to toss it aside. Then, she pointed to the framed photos on the wall. "And take these down. They’re hideous."

One by one, the photos came down, their wedding picture among them.

Julian stood at the top of the stairs, frowning, looking like he wanted to intervene. But in the end, he just glanced at Scarlett. "Let them. We can hang them back up later."

Scarlett smiled, a hollow, empty gesture.

Isabella poked her head out from an upstairs doorway, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "Jules, I want the master bedroom! It's closer to Mamma's room, so it'll be so much easier to take care of her."

Carmela immediately nodded in approval. "Yes, yes, you're so thoughtful, my dear."

Julian instinctively looked at Scarlett, as if bracing for an argument.

But Scarlett just nodded calmly. "Fine. I'll move my things to the guest room."

She turned to head upstairs. Julian grabbed her wrist. "Something's not right with you."

Scarlett looked back at him. "What's not right? Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"

"But you..." Julian's brow furrowed in confusion. "You never used to be like this."

"'What I used to be'?" Scarlett let out a bitter laugh. "Isn't 'this' precisely what you and your mother have been demanding?"

She shook his hand off and walked straight into the master bedroom to begin packing.

Julian followed her in, leaning against the doorframe, watching as she methodically folded her clothes and placed them in a suitcase. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore.

"What has gotten into you?"

Scarlett looked up. "I'm making room for the two of you."

Julian swallowed hard, but said nothing.

At seven that evening, Scarlett went downstairs for dinner.

In the dining room, Carmela, Isabella, and Julian were already seated at the long, food-laden table.

Isabella placed a piece of salmon on Carmela's plate, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Isabella is so good to me," Carmela cooed.

Julian looked up and saw Scarlett, beckoning to her. "Come on, let's eat."

Scarlett walked over and took a seat. Her eyes swept across the table and then stopped dead.

Every single dish was garnished with crushed nuts.

Almonds, walnuts, peanuts... every last one of them an ingredient she was severely, fatally allergic to.