**Elena’s POV**

The air in the house has been really cold since we returned from my father’s place almost a week ago. Stefano barely spoke to me, and it was really starting to piss me off.

I walked into the living room, and there he was, sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone, with that blank, distant look he always has.

“Good morning,” I said, with my smile feeling stiff and unnatural on my face as I snugly adjusted my sweater around my shoulders.

He made a sound in his ...