nd let a small, quiet smile grace her lips. "They're only for he

settling on her hand-expression unreadab

impossibly delicate. The pale mark on the back of her hand, left by his

d breath. At last, the tension in her chest beg

m back from the edge. In most cases, his episodes stretched on

heels. He halted mid-step, stunned by what he saw. Clear-headed and steady, Aidan hel

in his eyes. "Ms. Wilson, is it pos

ce low and unyielding,

uran back to himself. H

on to Nicole, speaking in a tone stripped of warmth.

crisply. "Und

rter not to push for understanding. Without another wor

Lilah still rooted in place. A crease formed between his brows, and

d to make sure you're alright. But now that I see

h contacts, he dialed, lowering his voice as the call co

nothing. The thumb ring you gave her? It's vanished-no trace, not even a whisper on the blac

rough the air, sharp an

it,

.

grandmother, had arrived at the estate. The moment Duran heard, he abandoned his chor

otted Lilah guiding Analia gently

h excitement. "Madam, you're back

mpatience. "Bring Ms. Wilson to the

, today Ms

et ahead of ourselves. Analia wants to speak to Ms. Wilson a

in on Nicole's needlework with Aidan. Acceptin

uest room and gave a soft kno

of questions about Aidan's condition, and

ith a courteous smile. "Mrs. Moore ha

right." She stepped into the hallway,

her, Nicole spoke up, her voice low. "H

hese days, he's going through epis

s. That pattern was too frequent. The

on turned searching. "Ms. Wilson, do

swered, her voice low but resolute. "He has a r

a brisk nod.

iew just as the last notes

at rigid and unmoving, her back radiating silent authority. A

ly carved the peel from an apple,

dy. Want me to slice it f

Analia's response replaced any hint of

nly then glancing up to notice Nicole. "Did you

ven-and Nicole caught it instantly, lips curving into a knowing smi

atmosphere tightened, thick with unspoken history. Nicole chose her words

That voice-she knew it. She forced herself to turn,

posed-sent a rush of memory and shock pulsing through her vei

who had once pulled he

speechless. Never in her wildest dreams had she expecte

and with an urgency that brooked no refusal. The apple, suddenly irrelevant, tumbled onto the coffee tab

appiness blazed so suddenly that Analia could on

een them, her own breath

lly the mysterious savior Analia