The ride back from the beach was peaceful.
Victor had fallen asleep in the back seat, snoring softly.
Nathan sat beside the driver, reviewing a few emails on his tablet.
In the rear seat...
Sebastian and Elara sat quietly beside each other.
Neither of them spoke much.
They didn't need to.
The comfortable silence between them said enough.
Elara glanced down at the small bag of seashells resting on her lap and smiled.
Sebastian noticed.
"You really like them."
She nodded.
"They remind me of today."
"I don't want to forget it."
He looked out the window for a moment before replying,
"You won't."
---
When they arrived at Blackwood Manor, Mrs. Hayes stopped Elara before she went upstairs.
"My dear, wait a moment."
She disappeared into the storage room and returned with a clear
