The rain had just begun to fall.
Dark clouds covered the afternoon sky as Blackwood Manor stood quietly behind its elegant iron gates.
Inside the mansion, Elara sat in the sunroom, absentmindedly turning the pages of a book she hadn't actually been reading.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to Sebastian.
He wasn't supposed to return until tomorrow evening.
She sighed softly.
"It's only one more day..."
Mrs. Hayes entered carrying a tray of tea and warm pastries.
"You've been staring at the same page for ten minutes."
Elara looked down and laughed sheepishly.
"Was I?"
Mrs. Hayes smiled knowingly.
"My dear..."
"I think you're lovesick."
Elara's cheeks immediately turned pink.
"I'm not!"
Victor, who had been passing by the open doorway, overheard the conversation.
He poked his
