Lavinia had appeared with her lunch tray

ia to sit. When she looked uncertain, he

her presence. "I thought your father avoided cultivating distracti

"Been eavesdropping on

ty's birthday party last year. You said your father thought roma

ember that co

"You were talking to James Porter about why y

a quietly placing down a cake while he spoke, not even r

s," he said finally. "But seeing Verity save his

bite of her sandwich. "So he app

orne dynasty," Henry admitted, the words tasting slightly

ich

m that before-what he saw in Verity beyond the obvious. Even

knew exactly what to do. She never hesitates." He paused, searching for the words. "And she's kind, but not soft. She volunteers at

ting, her gaze steady. "That sound

y had never labeled his feelings for Verity, even in his own m

the conversation's intimacy. "And what about you, La

y from his own feelings. But something in Lavinia's e

ess," she said, her voice softer th

end of lunch. Lavinia gathered her things with efficien

d formally, as if they were strangers

who drew attention with each step, Lavinia moved through the crowd like water-fluid, unnoticed, lea

followed her until she disapp

*

Wyntho

the hospital waiting room. He straightened, blinking

Ye

er is askin

iliar dread. Each hospital visit seemed worse than the last, his father grow

ng into his nostrils, his once-powerful frame diminished by months of

ded, patting the

nes of pain etched around his fath

. "But that's not why I called you i

llapse-his father insisting he abandon his plans to study science abroad,

Cambridge," Henry said carefull

"My condition is progressing faster than anticipated.

Da

l finish high school, then spend the summer learning the business. By fall, you'll

weight of expectation, the narrowing of possibilities. "Wh

endures. The Wynthorne name means something in this city. Are you pr

lt both futile and cruel. "I'm not making any decisions toni

tting better isn't on the table anymore, son.

them, too heavy for Henry to respond to immediately.

silence. To Henry's surprise, Verity's face appe

e said. "The nurse said I coul

formed, softening into a genuine smi

d a sweater, her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. She car

y thrive in hospital lighting. I thoug

ed. "Unlike my son, who brings only ar

rjected, "Henry's been here every day, Mr. Wynthorne. The

Henry's chest. She crossed to stand beside him, her h

her voice taking on the professional tone

nry to "avoid unnecessary worry"-Henry watched Verity nod and ask intelligent follow-up questions. She be

tal treatment," she was saying. "The success rates for

. "Promising isn't certain. And

ty countered, with a directness few p

o actually consider her words. "Perhaps," he

, tapping her watch meaningfully.

cheek. "Rest well, Mr. Wynthorne. I'll br

udying Verity's profile in the harsh fluorescent lighting. "You

en I heard your father was admitted again, I wanted to check on yo

n Henry's chest. Without thinking, he reached for her

is, warm despite the cool night a

him, but tonight, it felt like enough-her pr

ou a ride home

ead. "My car's her

ght kiss to his cheek. "Get some sleep, Henry Wynt

ture was friendly, perhaps even sisterly, yet it kindled something warm in his chest-a

rom an unfamiliar number: Any u

this small reaching out from Lavinia Wren, who had

for asking. he replied afte

If you need notes from tod

ly Lavinia. No empty platitudes or expressio

ou up on that,

ght between thoughts of Verity's kiss and Lavinia's quiet thoughtful

exhausted sleep, her certainty and capability a beacon he desperately