soft patterns on the polished floor of the mansion. I woke to

fast. He hadn't expected me to wake so early. His expression softened as he looked up

tray with toast, fruit, and a sma

eplied, my voice st

. "You... didn't have to do all

eyes calm. "I wan

n't lecture, he didn't demand. He didn't expect

eep through me. It was sweet, comforting, and

-

s surgery. Adrian was nearby, reading quietly. Every so often, he glanced up, check

ed slightly when he concentrated, the soft curve of his smile when he re

ked gently, noticing the sta

shaking my head. "Ther

did something unexpected. He

moment," he

irely innocent-but it made my chest ache. I wanted to pull away,

I di

ection, enough to feel safe. When he removed his hand, I realized so

-

he air was fragrant with blooming roses, and the so

he asked quietly, his

, smiling faintly. "I've ne

eyes. "I hope you feel at home here," he said. "I know it's all new

to me like that before. As much as I had wanted to

between us. I realized that, despite the circumstances of

-

e small moments of the day: the tea he made, the ha

didn't always start with fireworks or grand declaratio

off to sleep, I w

im won't be so impo