arble and my father's quiet authority. I had hoped the day would unfol

e arm of one of the chaise lounges, her eyes sharp and calculating.

t beneath it lay steel. I felt it immediately .A push to r

alm, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips

moon?" I repeated, disbel

iscussing tea instead of marital plans. "T

readable passing behind them. I sensed it immediately

left instructions for his Cybertruck, but before leaving for the day,

klace: delicate, silver, with a single teardrop

ftly, leaning just enough

om someone who could claim hearts as easily as he claime

but because there where servants at ho

verything thing I felt for him.I couldn't even take a seco

more real with each ticking moment. Alaiz, meanwhile, had made arrangements, leaving me

the day had begun. Father was gone, honeymoon underway. Aris had withdrawn into her priv

ctric. Dangerous. And

h step was careful, measured but liberating. The estate at night held its own magic: streetlights c

... I bump

Al

in the same shadow. My chest tightened. I had promised myself I wouldn't speak, wouldn't give

ching myself, hesitant. "

gently, the barest hint of a sm

some dignity. "You should leave. Go. I

smirk fading. His eyes darkened, s

do you even know y

wat I'm thinking I pr

against all reason, against my own stubbornness, I st

felt like hours, words careful, heavy with meaning. He told me about Emmilia ,about boundaries, fa

d. Somehow, despite the weight of the night, despite the sting

y Eight o'clock.....uhmmm....would it be oka

ity and frustration warring in

is hand flew to his pocket, and h

t!" he

sharp and cutting,it hung in the air. I felt it rever

, falling toward the cobblestone

ted, but he had

darkened street. Alaiz stared after it, jaw clenched, eyes wide not at

breathe.

corner of our lives. I felt my heartbeat thundering against my ribs. The night

dn't understand and a warning I couldn't ignore. "I'll e

on the path, staring at the street where his phone lay lik

uld no longer protect me. The house, Aris, Emmilia, Alaiz,they w

intentionally granted me the ability to walk the estat

memory of him, the anticipation of tomorrow, and the in

llen phone, the interrupted call, the promise of expl

e, inevitably. And w