Ashton glanced at me and said, "Alright, but do be careful."
Sally's lips lifted into a small, grateful smile toward me. I could feel the unspoken boundary in that moment—this was not something I could step into. Whatever was about to be discussed belonged to their family circle, and my presence would only make it heavier. A composed person like her would not want an outsider witnessing any misstep.
So I gave a slight nod and stepped away.
I walked along the wide yard, letting my eyes take in the scale of the estate. The air felt still, almost charged in a way that made my senses stay alert. I followed a cobblestone path until I found a shaded spot and sat down quietly, allowing the calm to settle around me.
It didn't last.
Marcus appeared without warning, his presence sharp enough to cut through the silence.
