ere enough to mak

ing than welcome. The car rolled down the winding driveway, flanked by manicured hedges and polishe

g out of a modern Gothic novel: cold,

llowed he

focating everything soft. She'd

he grand foyer, where the marble floors gleamed like ice and the chandelie

she s

staircase, hands in his pockets, jaw ti

resence were a business transact

she replied w

exchanged, the sound of small

t as a familiar

ad

ere sh

l

face, the same wide green eyes that had looked up at her in

ment, Am

id E

d in her eyes like a

Ella wh

ws drew togethe

ply, her voice quiet but full of something warmer than

t gently.

oser. Not shy.

traight into

hesitation. The hug wasn't desperate,it was trusting. Natural. Like Ella had

head, Amir

g, his expression unreadab

was your daughter,"

lied, though his voice

ck slightly. "

d carefully. "She's going to

e a story tonig

tly. "Only if yo

looked..

s. But Ella was smiling;a small, real smie and h

ally, almost reluc

rs, calling for one of the house

ain, but this time

hat," Alexander sa

, standing. "But I'

code he didn't quite trust but

arming up to anyone. N

ith a soft shrug. "She needed

tighten...not admiration, not desire. Confusion. Like

o needs one," she added be

aircase, leaving him with tha

didn't say

d and the quiet returned, he

ad just made his daughter feel more seen

deep self reflection;she

whether to be gra