#Chapter 170: Little Animals, Big Feelings

Nathan The morning sun spilled through the gaps in the curtains as I uncapped the first can of yellow paint, the aroma of fresh possibility filling the room. Olivia had showed me the nursery last night, a room filled with hope but untouched by human hands. It was one of the sunniest rooms in the villa—it used to be her aunt’s study, but had been left empty since her aunt passed away—and deserved a bright, cheerful interior. I could see the anxiety in her eyes last night, the embarrassment, and the longing. But mostly, I saw the love she had for the child she was yet to meet. And I decided to surprise her with a freshly painted room when she awoke. That morning, I woke up extra early, just as the sun was rising, to get to work. With any luck, I would have the first coat of paint finished by the time she awoke. But I had more plans than just painting the walls yellow. I had a special surprise for Olivia, and I hoped that it would make her smile. As I dipped the brush