incent's visit was

rely blinked, too busy with her usual phone calls. Adrian, however, watched the depa

uth,

ian that wasn't ready to be nam

ad barely s

lias had music playing softly from his phone - something low and rich with meani

only the sound of a k

ning," Ad

up briefly. "

dn't

marble counter, watching him sli

didn't make your eve

paused. "He wa

one word

up. "Is there somet

rmalit

ifted. "I

them, and Mary walked in wi

ed. Chef wants them trimmed

them without a wo

chen feeling like h

-

ibrary with all her usual flair, tossing

t terrible news

p from his book

n dinner - it's been

lifted. "M

ently. Daddy volunteered our ballroom." She flopped onto the c

this for a momen

hat. But Elias will need help. It's a ma

reason, tightened some

d Elias in the linen room

ect you here,

quiet plac

d. "And you chos

he doorframe. "Seemed s

was a

more serious now,

ed at him.

een... di

been

not what

harply. "Does it matte

r, his voice lowerin

. Something flickered behind his ey

tly, "I've been th

an f

g?" he

ion at a private estate outside

landed l

athe normally. "You had

t decide

y n

linen in his hands. "It's... d

ed hard. "Beca

didn't

use o

no a

, heart pounding. "If

t," Elias s

"But that doesn't m

ian didn't writ

ould

remembering every detail: Elias's quiet voice, his avoidance, t

w

e Adrian wanted

ood by the window in his small room, sta

ccepted the

n't declin

ight to feel. Every time Adrian looked at him with somet

e it w

't sure he cou

itho