Chapter: The New Thread

After the meeting at the park, Olivia began to see Matteo more often. The boy's mother, Luciana, was a kind woman with a soft voice and serene gaze. She worked in a small art gallery near the historic center, and when she found out about the bond between Olivia and Tom, she welcomed her with open arms and an open heart.

"He spoke about you as if you were part of his soul," she told her one afternoon while they prepared coffee in her apartment filled with paintings. "He always said that no matter how much time passed, you would always find a way to return to what you loved."

Olivia, sitting next to Matteo at the dining table, was drawing made-up story characters with him. They had created a small ritual: every week, a story, a letter from Tom, and a cup of hot chocolate.

But one afternoon, Matteo surprised her with something more.

"Olivia, mom has something that Tom left here... but she said it was only for when you felt ready."

Luciana appeared with a light wooden box, smaller than the previous one. The edges were carved with stars, and there was a date on the top: "July 13 – Our last anniversary."

Olivia's heart stopped for a second.

Inside was a small black-covered notebook, with Tom's unmistakable handwriting on the first page:

"This is the 'just in case' diary. Just in case I don't make it, just in case I can't, just in case I leave too soon. I don't want you to be left without knowing."

On each page, Tom had written memories of them, confessions he never said out loud, deep thoughts about life, and even... ideas for the names of the children they once dreamed of having.

Olivia couldn't hold back her tears.

Luciana placed a hand on her shoulder.

"He knew you'd be here one day. And he knew you'd need more than memories... you'd need truths that only he could give you."

From then on, Olivia became more involved with Luciana and Matteo. She started working at the gallery, organizing small exhibitions for young artists—something Tom had also supported from afar. She realized that, little by little, she was no longer just surviving... she was beginning to live again.

One day, Matteo said to her while they walked home:

"I think Tom took care of me so I could take care of you later."

And Olivia, unable to hold back her tears, hugged him tightly.

"I think so too, little one. I think that's exactly what happened."