Chapter 71: The Unexpected Visitor

The soft strains of Nocturne in E-flat major by Chopin slid across Olivia's loft, so gentle, with only the soft clinking of glasses and popping of garlic in a pan to back it up. She hummed against it absent-mindedly as she stirred pasta sauce, swaying a little to the music while relishing the simple pleasure of cooking after another grueling week of treatments. "Just a dash more oregano," she murmured to herself, reaching for the spice rack. The movement sent a twinge of pain through her side, a reminder of the battle her body was still fighting. But Olivia pushed the discomfort aside, focusing instead on the evening ahead. A quiet dinner with Mark was a chance to celebrate the small victories that had become so precious. The sharp buzz of the doorbell cut through the music, startling Olivia out of her reverie. She frowned, looking at her watch. Mark wasn't due for another hour, and she wasn't expecting anyone else. "Coming!" she called, and she moved to the stove to turn down the b