Olivia's eyes remained on his face.
"Then what are you asking of me?" she said. "Because a confession without a path forward is only another burden."
Julian held her gaze.
"I am asking whether there is any version of this that does not end in ruin," he said. "Can we not find a way to love without harming the others who stand around us? Without destroying Father. Without destroying the life you have."
Olivia stared at him. Love without harm. The idea sounded almost gentle when spoken aloud, yet both of them knew how dangerous the reality would be.
Secrecy.
Careful timing.
The constant risk that a single mistake could unravel everything.
She pushed away from the cabinet and took a single step closer to him. The movement made the damp robe cling more tightly for a moment before it settled again.
