~ALEXANDRO'S POV~

I led Lauren by the hand toward the dining room, still feeling the warmth of her skin against mine.

The morning light streamed through the large windows, giving the room a golden glow. Lauren looked around at the empty table with a raised eyebrow.

"Where's breakfast?" she asked, her voice playful.

"I'm making it," I told her with a smile. "Sit back and wait."

She settled into one of the chairs, watching me with curious eyes. I held up a finger, signaling for her to wait, and walked to the side door that led to the garden.

I stepped outside for a moment, breathing in the fresh morning...