Felix rushed into the kitchen, humming softly as he grabbed extra plates and forks.
The warm smell of white sauce pasta filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of soap and damp clothes from Ivy and Silas's quick showers.
When he returned, everyone was already seated. Helena smiled, placing a hand on Ivy's shoulder as Victor served the pasta evenly across the table.
Helena reached over, brushing a few strands of Ivy's damp hair away from her face. "You'll never eat alone in this house again," she promised quietly.
For a moment, silence reigned... the kind that held warmth rather than awkwardness.
The family began to eat slowly, savoring every bite. The white sauce was slightly watery, but after months of scavenged rations and tasteless meals, it tasted heavenly.
"Waouh! Quel délice! (Wow! How delicious.)" Felix murmured in French.
Even Ivy closed her mouth to savor the juicy yet soft taste. Her appetite soared, and she finished three plates of pasta.